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Schwann Cells Modify Expression of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase at Rat Neuromuscular Junctions
Author(s) -
Chapron J.,
Porte S.,
Delepine L.,
Koenig J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1997.tb01396.x
Subject(s) - acetylcholinesterase , synaptogenesis , neuromuscular junction , agrin , neuregulin , butyrylcholinesterase , schwann cell , acetylcholine receptor , synapse , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , neuroscience , chemistry , receptor , aché , biochemistry , enzyme , signal transduction
Using a monoclonal antibody (6.17) directed against a Schwann antigen, we have shown that Schwann cells synthesize a molecule implicated in a change of expression of synaptic cholinesterases, AChE and BChE, during muscle differentiation. In vitro , during synaptogenesis, the two enzymes are first present at developing synapses, and addition of Schwann cells to muscle‐neuron co‐cultures induces a disappearance of BChE, leaving only AChE activity as in the adult neuromuscular junction. This effect is inhibited by the 6.17 antibody. Thus, a molecule produced by Schwann cells is involved in the maturation of the neuromuscular synapse, in addition to the neuronal factors (CGRP, ARIA/heregulin, agrin), which are known to control the synthesis, maturation and accumulation of acetylcholine receptors and other synaptic components. In addition, in vivo , in the newborn rat, butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase activities are initially present in equal amounts in the neural zone, but butyrylcholinesterase levels diminish sharply between 7 and 15 days after birth, the stage at which the synaptic Schwann cell membrane becomes juxtaposed with the muscle membrane.