Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-2-27
pubmed:abstractText
Synapse formation requires proper interaction between pre- and postsynaptic cells. In anterograde signaling, neurons release factors to guide postsynaptic differentiation. However, less is known about how postsynaptic targets retrogradely regulate presynaptic differentiation or function. We found that muscle-specific conditional knockout of beta-catenin (Ctnnb1, also known as beta-cat) in mice caused both morphologic and functional defects in motoneuron terminals of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). In the absence of muscle beta-catenin, acetylcholine receptor clusters were increased in size and distributed throughout a wider region. Primary nerve branches were mislocated, whereas secondary or intramuscular nerve branches were elongated and reduced in number. Both spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter release was reduced at the mutant NMJs. Furthermore, short-term plasticity and calcium sensitivity of neurotransmitter release were compromised in beta-catenin-deficient muscle. In contrast, the NMJ was normal in morphology and function in motoneuron-specific beta-catenin-deficient mice. Taken together, these observations indicate a role for muscle beta-catenin in presynaptic differentiation and function, identifying a previously unknown retrograde signaling in the synapse formation and synaptic plasticity.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
1097-6256
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
11
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
262-8
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Animals, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Axonal Transport, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Cell Communication, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Cell Differentiation, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Growth Cones, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Mice, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Mice, Knockout, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Motor Neurons, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Muscle, Skeletal, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Nervous System Malformations, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Neuromuscular Junction, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Neuronal Plasticity, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Neurotransmitter Agents, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Presynaptic Terminals, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Receptor Aggregation, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Receptors, Cholinergic, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Signal Transduction, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-Synapses, pubmed-meshheading:18278041-beta Catenin
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Retrograde regulation of motoneuron differentiation by muscle beta-catenin.
pubmed:affiliation
Program of Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural