Transforming growth factor-beta-2 (TGF-beta 2) is associated with mature rat neuromuscular junctions.
The localisation of transforming growth factor-beta-2 (TGF-beta 2) in skeletal muscles was investigated with immunohistochemistry. In neonates, TGF-beta 2 was distributed throughout the muscle fibres but as the fibres matured TGF-beta 2 became restricted to the circumference of a small subpopulation of nuclei. These nuclei were judged to be the subsynaptic nuclei as they lay beneath the plasmalemma and were associated with alpha-bungarotoxin-labelled neuromuscular junctions. These observations point to TGF-beta 2 being either a trophic factor for mature motoneurones or an autocrine regulator of synaptic protein production.
McLennan
I S
IS
Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Koishi
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
D009124:Muscle Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta