Muscle-derived neurotrophin-3 increases the aggregation of acetylcholine receptors in neuron-muscle co-cultures

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Amy K.Y. Fu
  • Fanny C.F. Ip
  • Kwok O. Lai
  • Karl W.K. Tsim
  • Nancy Y. Ip

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3895-3900
Journal / PublicationNeuroReport
Volume8
Issue number18
Online published5 Oct 1997
Publication statusPublished - 22 Dec 1997
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Neurotrophins, a group of protein ligands that are structurally related to the prototype nerve growth factor (NGF), are prominently expressed in the skeletal muscle during the critical period of synapse formation. In the present study, we utilized a co-culture system of NG108-15 cells expressing the Trk receptors and C2C12 myotubes expressing the individual neurotrophins to examine whether these factors can act in a target-derived manner to influence the postsynaptic specializations. Our findings demonstrated that muscle-derived neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) has the unique ability to enhance the aggregation of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on the myotubes following co- culture with NG108-15 cells expressing TrkC. Taken together, our findings suggest that NT-3 can act as a retrograde factor to modulate the postsynaptic specializations.

Research Area(s)

  • Agrin, Neuromuscular junction, Neurotrophins, Synaptogenesis, Trk receptor

Citation Format(s)

Muscle-derived neurotrophin-3 increases the aggregation of acetylcholine receptors in neuron-muscle co-cultures. / Fu, Amy K.Y.; Ip, Fanny C.F.; Lai, Kwok O. et al.
In: NeuroReport, Vol. 8, No. 18, 22.12.1997, p. 3895-3900.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review