title: An unconventional role of neurotransmission in synapse formation.
abstract: How do presynaptic inputs regulate synapse formation? In this issue of Neuron, Lin et al. show that the neurotransmitter acetylcholine decreases the stability of AChR clusters. This dispersing activity, which requires the serine/threonine kinase Cdk5, cooperates with positive signals from motoneurons to ensure high concentration of AChRs at the neuromuscular junction.
authors.affiliation: Program of Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Wen C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D011940:Receptor Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D051360:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5; C495906:Cdk5 protein, mouse; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases