Acetylcholinesterase clustering at the neuromuscular junction involves perlecan and dystroglycan.
AuthorsPeng HB, Xie H, Rossi SG, Rotundo RL
JournalJ Cell Biol
PubMed ID10330416
Formation of the synaptic basal lamina at vertebrate neuromuscular junction involves the accumulation of numerous specialized extracellular matrix molecules including a specific form of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the collagenic-tailed form. The mechanisms responsible for its localization at sites of nerve- muscle contact are not well understood. To understand synaptic AChE localization, ... More
The actin-driven movement and formation of acetylcholine receptor clusters.
AuthorsDai Z, Luo X, Xie H, Peng HB
JournalJ Cell Biol
PubMed ID10995438
A new method was devised to visualize actin polymerization induced by postsynaptic differentiation signals in cultured muscle cells. This entails masking myofibrillar filamentous (F)-actin with jasplakinolide, a cell-permeant F-actin-binding toxin, before synaptogenic stimulation, and then probing new actin assembly with fluorescent phalloidin. With this procedure, actin polymerization associated with newly ... More
Limits to the development of fast neuromuscular transmission in zebrafish.
AuthorsDrapeau P, Buss RR, Ali DW, Legendre P, Rotundo RL
JournalJ Neurophysiol
PubMed ID11731551
Zebrafish embryos have small and slow miniature end-plate currents (mEPCs), whereas only a few days later larval mEPCs are an order of magnitude larger and faster, being among the fastest of all neuromuscular synapses. To identify the bases for these changes we compared, in embryos and larvae, the properties and ... More
A role of tyrosine phosphatase in acetylcholine receptor cluster dispersal and formation.
AuthorsDai Z, Peng HB
JournalJ Cell Biol
PubMed ID9647653
Innervation of the skeletal muscle involves local signaling, leading to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering, and global signaling, manifested by the dispersal of preexisting AChR clusters (hot spots). Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation has been shown to mediate AChR clustering. In this study, the role of tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) in the ... More