Journal
MUSCLE & NERVE
Volume 46, Issue 1, Pages 112-121Publisher
WILEY-BLACKWELL
DOI: 10.1002/mus.23284
Keywords
alcium; myogenesis; nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; prepatterned clusters; skeletal muscle
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Funding
- Fondazione Benefica Kathleen Foreman Casali of Trieste
- Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universita e della Ricerca-Italy
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Introduction: Before the nerve contacts the skeletal muscle, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) form aggregates known as prepatterned clusters. We investigated their role in the occurrence of Ca2+ spikes and twitching during myogenesis. Methods: Cultured mouse myotubes were used as cell models. Cells were subjected to a combination of immunostaining, Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiological analysis. Results: A single prepatterned nAChR cluster per myotube was generally detected. A correlation between formation of the prepatterned clusters and occurrence of Ca2+ spikes and twitching was observed. Increase in size of the prepatterned clusters raised the frequency of Ca2+ spikes and twitching. Blockade of the electrical activity triggered by the autocrine activation of prepatterned nAChR induced over-numbered nAChR clusters. Conclusions: Prepatterned nAChR aggregation is required for Ca2+ spikes and twitching of developing myotubes. Moreover, prepatterned nAChR-driven electrical activity preserves the distribution of nAChRs, mimicking the effect of synaptic activity before innervation. Muscle Nerve 46: 112121, 2012
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