Agrin and the molecular choreography of synapse formation.
High concentrations of neurotransmitter receptors characterize neuromuscular junctions as well as neuron-neuron synapses in the brain and periphery. Synaptic function is critically dependent upon this marshalling of neurotransmitter receptors to the post-synaptic membrane. This review discusses agrin's role in orchestrating the molecular topography of the post-synaptic apparatus at nerve-muscle synapses and the emerging evidence suggesting a role for agrin in synaptogenesis in the brain.
Nastuk
M A
MA
Neurobiology Group, Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
Fallon
J R
JR
D018171:Agrin; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005796:Genes; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012326:RNA Splicing; D051381:Rats / Q000235:genetics; D011940:Receptor Aggregation; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D014101:Torpedo / Q000235:genetics
D018171:Agrin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; C080030:agrin receptor