title: Immunoperoxidase localization of alpha bungarotoxin: a new approach to myasthenia gravis.
abstract: The IPBT method has made it possible to precisely visualize the AChR. Normal distribution of AChR is at the peaks of the postjunctional folds of the muscle sarcolemmal membrane with a small amount present on the axonal tip as well. Denervated muscle fibers have extrajunctional AChR. In MG, there are also denervated-appearing fibers but these do not have extrajuctional AChR with the IPBT stain. To explain this, we have been able to demonstrate a serum factor capable of blocking the binding of alpha-BuTx to the AChR and have shown for the first time that this factor is capable of acting at the neuromuscular junction itself. This blocking factor may play a major role in causing the weakness of MG.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000906:Antibodies; D001284:Atrophy; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009132:Muscles / Q000276:immunology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010544:Peroxidases; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D010544:Peroxidases; D000109:Acetylcholine