Development of the neuromuscular junction: genetic analysis in mice.
Formation of the skeletal neuromuscular junction is a multi-step process that requires communication between the nerve and muscle. Studies in many laboratories have led to identification of factors that seem likely to mediate these interactions. 'Knock-out' mice have now been generated with mutations in several genes that encode candidate transsynaptic messengers and components of their effector mechanisms. Using these mice, it is possible to test hypotheses about the control of synaptogenesis. Here, we review our studies on neuromuscular development in mutant mice lacking agrin alpha CGRP, rapsyn, MuSK, dystrophin, dystrobrevin, utrophin, laminin alpha 5, laminin beta 2, collagen alpha 3 (IV), the acetylcholine receptor epsilon subunit, the collagenous tail of acetylcholinesterase, fibroblast growth factor-5, the neural cell adhesion molecule, and tenascin-C.
Sanes
J R
JR
Department of Anatomy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Apel
E D
ED
Burgess
R W
RW
Emerson
R B
RB
Feng
G
G
Gautam
M
M
Glass
D
D
Grady
R M
RM
Krejci
E
E
Lichtman
J W
JW
Lu
J T
JT
Massoulié
J
J
Miner
J H
JH
Moscoso
L M
LM
Nguyen
Q
Q
Nichol
M
M
Noakes
P G
PG
Patton
B L
BL
Son
Y J
YJ
Yancopoulos
G D
GD
Zhou
H
H
D018171:Agrin / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics
D018171:Agrin; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms