Involvement of extracellular matrix in acetylcholine receptor epsilon-subunit gene expression at the rat neuromuscular junction.
During neuromuscular development, the nerve induces the expression of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) epsilon-subunit gene selectively in synaptic myonuclei. Here we show that even after elimination of neural effects by denervation, synaptic expression of epsilon-subunit transcripts is maintained for > 4 months. In contrast, after damage of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by treatment with proteolytic enzymes, epsilon-subunit mRNA is significantly reduced within less than 1 day, indicating a role of ECM in the regulation of AChR subunit transcripts at the synapse.
Herczeg
A
A
Department of Physiology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Jones
G
G
Brenner
H R
HR
D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000235:genetics*; D013997:Time Factors
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic