Development of acetylcholinesterase induced by basic polypeptide-coated latex beads in cultured Xenopus muscle cells.
The formation of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters can be induced by basic polypeptide-coated latex beads in cultured Xenopus muscle cells. Here we investigated the development of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at the bead-induced AChR clusters. AChE activity began to appear at the clusters after 1 day of bead-muscle coculture and was present at all of the bead-induced clusters within 4-7 days. Electron microscopy revealed that AChE reaction products were discretely localized within the cleft and the membrane invaginations at the bead-muscle contacts. Thus, the beads can mimic the nerve in inducing a local accumulation of both the AChRs and AChE, suggesting that the development of both specializations can be effected by a common stimulus.
Peng
H B
HB
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
Gao
K X
KX
Xie
M Z
MZ
Zhao
D Y
DY
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000201:enzymology*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase