Gautam_1996_Cell_85_525

Reference

Title : Defective neuromuscular synaptogenesis in agrin-deficient mutant mice - Gautam_1996_Cell_85_525
Author(s) : Gautam M , Noakes PG , Moscoso L , Rupp F , Scheller RH , Merlie JP , Sanes JR
Ref : Cell , 85 :525 , 1996
Abstract :

During neuromuscular synapse formation, motor axons induce clustering of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in the muscle fiber membrane. The protein agrin, originally isolated from the basal lamina of the synaptic cleft, is synthesized and secreted by motoneurons and triggers formation of AChR clusters on cultured myotubes. We show here postsynaptic AChR aggregates are markedly reduced in number, size, and density in muscles of agrin-deficient mutant mice. These results support the hypothesis that agrin is a critical organizer of postsynaptic differentiation does occur in the mutant, suggesting the existence of a second-nerve-derived synaptic organizing signal. In addition, we show that intramuscular nerve branching and presynaptic differentiation are abnormal in the mutant, phenotypes which may reflect either a distinct effect of agrin or impaired retrograde signaling from a defective postsynaptic apparatus.

PubMedSearch : Gautam_1996_Cell_85_525
PubMedID: 8653788

Related information

Citations formats

Gautam M, Noakes PG, Moscoso L, Rupp F, Scheller RH, Merlie JP, Sanes JR (1996)
Defective neuromuscular synaptogenesis in agrin-deficient mutant mice
Cell 85 :525

Gautam M, Noakes PG, Moscoso L, Rupp F, Scheller RH, Merlie JP, Sanes JR (1996)
Cell 85 :525