Turnover of Acetylcholine Receptors: Mechanisms of Regulation

Abstract

The synthesis, insertion and degradation of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) of skeletal muscle cells are closely regulated both by the muscle cells and by the motor nerves that supply them. The goal of this project is to elucidate the mechanisms of regulation of the AChRs, both at the neuromuscular junction and at extrajunctional regions. We have used 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin (125I-alpha-BuTx) as a label to follow the metabolic turnover of AChRs, both in vivo and in tissue culture. Recent experiments have used cDNA that specifically binds to the mRNA for the alpha-subunit of the AChR to measure mRNA (gene regulation), as well. Keywords: Nerve transmission; Neuromuscular system; Botulinum toxin; Acetylcholine receptors; Neuromuscular junctions; Motor nerves; Neurotransmitters; Trophic control; Receptor turnover; Messenger RNA; Receptor stabilization; Receptor sites; Binding sites.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADB135605

Entities

People

  • Alan Pestronk
  • Daniel B. Drachman
  • David R. Ramsay
  • Naomi Lipsky
  • Orlando Avila

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Metabolism
  • Mrna
  • Muscle Cells
  • Muscle Fibers
  • Muscles
  • Nerves
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Sciatic Nerve
  • Skeletal Muscle
  • Synapses

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Genetics
  • Neuroscience