Efficient gene transfer into primary muscle cells to analyse nerve-independent postsynaptic organization in vitro

The establishment, maturation and maintenance of functional contacts between motor neurons and skeletal muscles at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) are essential events for the coordinated movement of many organisms. The main morphological features leading to embryonic NMJ formation have been well described; axonal growth cones differentiate into presynaptic terminals, whereas the innervated portion of the muscle membrane aggregates acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on its surface. At the mature NMJ, the postsynaptic terminal becomes drastically re-arranged to organize unique pretzel-like structures, which alternate domains having or not AChR aggregates [1,2].

Source: Neuromuscular Disorders - June 19, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: Jessica Mella, Viviana P érez, Diego Zelada, Nicolás Moreno, Ariel Ionescu, Eran Perlson, Juan Pablo Henríquez Source Type: research