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Novel role for prepatterned nicotinic acetylcholine receptors during myogenesis
Author(s) -
Bernareggi Annalisa,
Luin Elisa,
Formaggio Elena,
Fumagalli Guido,
Lorenzon Paola
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23284
Subject(s) - myogenesis , acetylcholine receptor , nicotinic agonist , acetylcholine , neuroscience , receptor , nicotinic acetylcholine receptor , neuromuscular junction , chemistry , medicine , biology , pharmacology , myocyte , endocrinology
Before the nerve contacts the skeletal muscle, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) form aggregates known as prepatterned clusters. We investigated their role in the occurrence of Ca 2+ spikes and twitching during myogenesis. Methods: Cultured mouse myotubes were used as cell models. Cells were subjected to a combination of immunostaining, Ca 2+ imaging and electrophysiological analysis. Results: A single prepatterned nAChR cluster per myotube was generally detected. A correlation between formation of the prepatterned clusters and occurrence of Ca 2+ spikes and twitching was observed. Increase in size of the prepatterned clusters raised the frequency of Ca 2+ spikes and twitching. Blockade of the electrical activity triggered by the autocrine activation of prepatterned nAChR induced over‐numbered nAChR clusters. Conclusions: Prepatterned nAChR aggregation is required for Ca 2+ spikes and twitching of developing myotubes. Moreover, prepatterned nAChR‐driven electrical activity preserves the distribution of nAChRs, mimicking the effect of synaptic activity before innervation. Muscle Nerve 46: 112–121, 2012