title: Agrin: toward a molecular understanding of synapse regeneration.
abstract: One of the foremost challenges to repairing damage after stroke, trauma, or disease is the regeneration of synaptic connections between neurons. Here, we consider recent strides in our understanding of the molecular basis of synapse formation and regeneration. We will focus on the protein agrin, a key player in synaptogenesis at neuromuscular junctions and perhaps at central nervous system synapses as well. Insights into agrin and its receptor could guide the development of rational therapies to combat neuronal degeneration. We will also consider recent surprising and provocative data linking the mechanisms of synapse formation and the cellular pathology in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology Group, Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Deyst
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Fallon
mesh_terms: D018171:Agrin / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D049030:Dystroglycans; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018171:Agrin; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C483081:DAG1 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; C080030:agrin receptor; D049030:Dystroglycans