Crosstalk between Agrin and Wnt signaling pathways in development of vertebrate neuromuscular junction

Arnab Barik, Bin Zhang, Gurkirpal S. Sohal, Wen Cheng Xiong, Lin Mei

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a cholinergic synapse where motor neurons elicit muscle contraction. Agrin and its coreceptors LRP4 and MuSK are critical for vertebrate NMJ formation. This paper reviews recent evidence for Wnts and Wnt signaling molecules in NMJ formation including a possible retrograde mechanism by muscle β-catenin. We also present data that Wnt3a, 7a, 8a and 10b could inhibit agrin-mediated AChR clustering. Together with the stimulating effect of Wnt9a, 9b, 10b, 11 and 16 on AChR clustering in the absence of agrin, these results suggest diverse roles for Wnt ligands in NMJ development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)828-838
Number of pages11
JournalDevelopmental Neurobiology
Volume74
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

Keywords

  • Aneural clusters
  • LRP4
  • Musk
  • NMJ
  • WNT

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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