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Embryonic acetylcholine receptors guarantee spontaneous contractions in rat developing muscle

Nature volume 335, pages 66–68 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

Many proteins are expressed in distinct embryonic and adult forms1,2. However, in most cases we do not know why the embryonic form of proteins is required. This question can be readily addressed for the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) because developmentally specified modifications of this ligand-gated ion channel can be directly related to changes in membrane currents. In developing rat soleus muscle, spontaneous transmitter release causes miniature end-plate currents (m.e.p.cs) to flow into the muscle cell. We show here that these m.e.p.cs in neonatal soleus trigger spontaneous contractions. By injecting m.e.p.cs into young fibres, we showed that only embryonic m.e.p.cs can trigger such contractions; adult m.e.p.cs do not last long enough. Developing muscle fibres must be active for synapse and muscle differentiation. Our experiments indicate that the embryonic form of the AChR is essential for spontaneous contractile activity and may therefore be required for normal neuromuscular development.

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Author notes

  1. Stefano Vicini: Fidia-Georgetown Institute, 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, 10027, USA

    Fernàn Jaramillo, Stefano Vicini & Stephen M. Schuetze

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  1. Fernàn Jaramillo
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  2. Stefano Vicini
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  3. Stephen M. Schuetze
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Jaramillo, F., Vicini, S. & Schuetze, S. Embryonic acetylcholine receptors guarantee spontaneous contractions in rat developing muscle . Nature 335, 66–68 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/335066a0

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