Polarity in skeletal muscle cells is induced by innervation

Burden, Steven J.; Jo, Sangmee Ahn; Tang, Jichen; Zhu, Xinwen; Yeadon, J E; Simon, Alexander M.

doi:10.1016/s1044-5781(06)80085-x

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…AChR concentration at the postjunctional folds is thought to be mediated by AChR diffusing on muscle membrane (Edwards and Frisch, 1976). Yet, the area of postjunctional folds accounts for less than 0.1% of the entire muscle fiber surface area (reviewed by Burden et al, 1995). It would therefore seem more economical if synaptic proteins, including AChR, were synthesized locally or delivered in a more efficient manner, such as by endocytosis…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To build a synapse: signaling pathways in neuromuscular junction assembly

2010

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SummarySynapses, as fundamental units of the neural circuitry, enable complex behaviors. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a synapse type that forms between motoneurons and skeletal muscle fibers and that exhibits a high degree of subcellular specialization. Aided by genetic techniques and suitable animal models, studies in the past decade have brought significant progress in identifying NMJ components and assembly mechanisms. This review highlights recent advances in the study of NMJ development, focusing on signaling pathways that are activated by diffusible cues, which shed light on synaptogenesis in the brain and contribute to a better understanding of muscular dystrophy. Key words: Neural development, Neuromuscular junction, Retrograde signaling, Synapse formation IntroductionThe brain contains billions of nerve cells, or neurons, which receive and integrate signals from the environment, and which govern the body's responses. Nervous system activity is made possible by synapses, contacts formed either between neurons or between a neuron and a target cell. Synapses are asymmetric structures in which neurotransmitter molecules are released from the presynaptic membrane and activate receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, thus establishing neuronal communication. As such, synapses are fundamental units of neural circuitry and enable complex behaviors. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a type of synapse formed between motoneurons and skeletal muscle fibers. Large and easily accessed experimentally, this peripheral synapse has contributed greatly to the understanding of the general principles of synaptogenesis and to the development of potential therapeutic strategies for muscular disorders. The NMJ uses different neurotransmitters in different species; for example, acetylcholine (ACh) in vertebrates and glutamate in Drosophila, both of which are excitatory and cause muscle contraction. In Caenorhabditis elegans, there are two types of NMJs: at excitatory NMJs, ACh causes muscle contraction, whereas inhibitory NMJs release g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to cause muscle relaxation. Motor nerve terminals differentiate to form presynaptic active zones, where synaptic vesicles dock and release neurotransmitters. On the apposed postsynaptic membranes, neurotransmitter receptors are packed at high densities. Aided by genetic techniques and by the use of suitable animal models, including rodents, zebrafish, Drosophila and C. elegans, studies in the past decade have brought significant progress, not only in identifying components present in pre-and postsynaptic membranes, but also in understanding the mechanisms that underpin NMJ assembly. This review highlights recent advances in the study of NMJ development, focusing on signaling pathways that are activated by diffusible cues from motor nerves and muscle fibers. Readers are referred to other outstanding reviews for a broad view of NMJ development (see Froehner, 1993;Hall and Sanes, 1993;Kummer et al., 2006;Salpeter and Loring, 1985;Schaeffer et al., 2001). NMJ formati...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To build a synapse: signaling pathways in neuromuscular junction assembly

2010

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“…A high density of AChRs ensures that the postsynaptic response to acetylcholine is sufficient to initiate an action potential, the mechanisms that mediate AChR clustering at synapses are critical for synaptic function (Hall and Sanes, 1993). There is good evidence that two signaling molecules, agrin and neuregulin (NRG), mediate the clustering of AChRs at neuromuscular synapses (Falls et al, 1993;Burden et al, 1995;Bowe and Fallon, 1995;Chu et al, 1995b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuregulin receptors, erbB3 and erbB4, are localized at neuromuscular synapses.

et al. 1995

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Neuregulin (NRG) is concentrated at synaptic sites and stimulates expression of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) genes in muscle cells grown in cell culture. These results raise the possibility that NRG is a synaptic signal that activates AChR gene expression in synaptic nuclei. Stimulation of NRG receptors, erbB3 and erbB4 initiates oligomerization between these receptors or between these receptors and other members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor family, resulting in stimulation of their associated tyrosine kinase activities. To determine which erbBs might mediate synapse‐specific gene expression, we used antibodies against each erbB to study their expression in rodent skeletal muscle by immunohistochemistry. We show that erbB2, erbB3 and erbB4 are concentrated at synaptic sites in adult skeletal muscle. ErbB3 and erbB4 remain concentrated at synaptic sites following denervation, indicating that erbB3 and erbB4 are expressed in the postsynaptic membrane. In addition, we show that expression of NRG and erbBs, like AChR gene expression, increases at synaptic sites during postnatal development. The localization of erbB3 and erbB4 at synaptic sites is consistent with the idea that a NRG‐stimulated signaling pathway is important for synapse‐specific gene expression.

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