title: The neuromuscular junction: selective remodeling of synaptic regulators at the nerve/muscle interface.
abstract: The peripheral synapses between motoneurons and skeletal muscle fibers, the neuromuscular junctions, are ideal to investigate the general principles of synaptogenesis that depend on the interaction of activity-dependent and activity-independent signals. Much has been learned from gene "knock out" mouse models that helped to identify major synaptic regulators. The "knock out" approach, however, may not distinguish between changes arising from the disruption of molecular signaling pathways and changes caused by the absence of synaptic transmission. To circumvent these problems, postsynaptic activity was modulated in mouse models by specifically targeting endplate receptors or the activity of synaptic regulators such as MuSK. Both regulators have multiple functions and acetylcholine receptors are not just signal transducers but regulate the localization and architecture of endplates. The results show that detailed analysis of mouse models will help to understand the complexity in mechanisms that regulate synaptic remodeling.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für medizinische Forschung, Abteilung Molekulare Neurobiologie, Jahnstrasse 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. witzeman@mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de
authors.forename: Veit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Witzemann
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chevessier
authors.forename: Pier Giorgio
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Pacifici
authors.forename: Pessah
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yampolsky
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D018171:Agrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D018171:Agrin; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; C511695:MuSK protein, mouse; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000109:Acetylcholine