Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Cavβ1

Title: Neuromuscular synaptic patterning requires the function of skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptors.

Authors: Fujun Chen, Yun Liu, Yoshie Sugiura, Paul D Allen, Ronald G Gregg, Weichun Lin

Journal, date & volume: Nat. Neurosci., 2011 May , 14, 570-7

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21441923

Abstract
Developing skeletal myofibers in vertebrates are intrinsically 'pre-patterned' for motor nerve innervation. However, the intrinsic factors that regulate muscle pre-patterning remain unknown. We found that a functional skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR, the L-type Ca(2+) channel in muscle) was required for muscle pre-patterning during the development of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Targeted deletion of the β1 subunit of DHPR (Cacnb1) in mice led to muscle pre-patterning defects, aberrant innervation and precocious maturation of the NMJ. Reintroducing Cacnb1 into Cacnb1(-/-) muscles reversed the pre-patterning defects and restored normal development of the NMJ. The mechanism by which DHPRs govern muscle pre-patterning is independent of their role in excitation-contraction coupling, but requires Ca(2+) influx through the L-type Ca(2+) channel. Our findings indicate that the skeletal muscle DHPR retrogradely regulates the patterning and formation of the NMJ.