Nonmuscle myosins IIA and IIB are present in adult motor nerve terminals.
Throughout life, neuromuscular junctions undergo dynamic changes, remodelling occurring through extension and withdrawal of motor nerve terminals in conjunction with changes in the distribution of acetylcholine receptors at the muscle endplate. However, relatively little is known about the fundamental processes by which nerve terminals are remodelled. These dynamic processes are likely to be driven by molecular motors. Previously, we have implicated myosins IIA and IIB as opposing motors influencing neuronal growth cone dynamics. Using confocal microscopy of neuromuscular junction preparations colabelled for myosin II isoforms and nerve terminal or muscle endplate markers, we demonstrate that both myosin IIA and myosin IIB are localized in nerve terminals. We propose roles for these motor proteins in junctional stabilization and destabilization.
Vega-Riveroll
Laura J
LJ
Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK.
Wylie
Steven R
SR
Loughna
Paul T
PT
Parson
Simon H
SH
Chantler
Peter D
PD
D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D009045:Motor Endplate / Q000378:metabolism; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000378:metabolism*; D024507:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA / Q000378:metabolism*; D024501:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIB / Q000378:metabolism*; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D024507:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIA; D024501:Nonmuscle Myosin Type IIB