The role of the cytoskeleton in neuromuscular junction formation

J Mol Neurosci. 2006;30(1-2):115-8. doi: 10.1385/JMN:30:1:115.

Abstract

The cytoskeleton plays a vital role in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation. It is responsible for shaping synaptic membrane into folds opposed to presynaptic active zones and anchoring acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) to the crest of the junctional folds. Acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) associate with the actin cytoskeleton, the disruption of which affects spontaneous and agrin-induced AChR clusters (Prives et al., 1982; Connolly, 1984; Peng and Phelan, 1984; Bloch, 1986; Dai et al., 2000). How AChRs are tethered to the actin cytoskeleton remains unclear.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinin / physiology
  • Animals
  • Cytoskeleton / physiology*
  • Dystroglycans / physiology
  • Muscle Proteins / physiology
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiology*
  • Utrophin / physiology

Substances

  • Muscle Proteins
  • Utrophin
  • peripheral membrane protein 43K
  • Actinin
  • Dystroglycans