We investigate the molecular mechanisms by which a neurone, when it forms a synapse, regulates the differentiation of the subsynaptic membrane in the follower cell. Experiments are focussed on the formation of the neuromuscular junction. They indicate that MuSK, a muscle-specific tyrosine kinase, can organize a fully functional postsynaptic-like membrane in skeletal muscle fibers in response to Agrin from motor nerve terminals. This includes the expression of MuSK itself and as well as a number of signalling components involved in nerve-induced acetylcholine receptor gene expression and aggregation at the synapse. The signalling loops involved are investigated
Prof. Hans Rudolf Brenner
University of Basel
Department of Biomedicine
Institute of Physiology
Pharmazentrum
Klingelbergstrasse 50/70
CH-4056 Basel/Schweiz
