The mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a cholinergic synapse between motoneuron axons and skeletal muscles that is essential to control muscle contraction. The acetylcholine receptor (AChR), a ligand gated ion channel, is highly concentrated at the postsynaptic membrane to ensure fast and efficient neurotransmission. NMJ formation requires agrin, a factor utilized by motor neurons to direct postsynaptic differentiation, and MuSK, a receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated by agrin. Auto-activation of MuSK has been implicated in forming aneural AChR clusters (or prepatterning) in advance of the arrival of motor nerve terminals and in guiding motor axons whereas agrin-activation of MuSK is essential for nerved-induced AChR clustering. However, regulation of MuSK is not well understood. Although agrin is able to stimulate MuSK, the two proteins do not interact. Our preliminary studies indicate that MuSK is regulated by two novel proteins: LRP4 and Wnt11. LRP4 is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family. It directly binds to agrin and MuSK, and thus transduces signal from agrin to MuSK. In addition, it is able to activate MuSK in the absence of agrin. On the other hand, soluble Wnt11 co-precipitates with MuSK, suggesting that Wnt11 may be a ligand for the receptor tyrosine kinase. Importantly, treatment of muscle cells with Wnt1 increases AChR clusters in the absence of agrin. These results suggest that MuSK activity is regulated by multiple mechanisms: LRP4 regulates both basal as well as agrin-induced activation of MuSK whereas Wnt11 stimulates MuSK to form AChR clusters in the absence of agrin. This proposal is to investigate how LRP4 and Wnt activate and regulate MuSK by a combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches. We will investigate how LRP4 regulates MuSK activation, how it transduces signal, mechanisms of Wnt regulation of mammalian NMJ formation. Results will provide a better understanding of cellular as well as molecular mechanisms of mammalian NMJ formation. They will also contribute to a better understanding of pathophysiology of muscular dystrophy and to developing strategies of gene therapy and of diagnostic tools.

Public Health Relevance

The long-term goal of our laboratory is to understand molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and maintenance of synapses. This proposal is to investigate how MuSK is regulated by two newly identified proteins: LRP4 and Wnt11. A combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments will be performed. Results will provide a better understanding of cellular as well as molecular mechanisms of mammalian NMJ formation. They will also contribute to a better understanding of pathophysiology of muscular dystrophy and to developing strategies of gene therapy and of diagnostic tools.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS040480-12
Application #
8410032
Study Section
Neurodifferentiation, Plasticity, and Regeneration Study Section (NDPR)
Program Officer
Gubitz, Amelie
Project Start
2000-01-11
Project End
2014-01-31
Budget Start
2013-02-01
Budget End
2014-01-31
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$304,102
Indirect Cost
$97,230
Name
Georgia Regents University
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
966668691
City
Augusta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30912
Xiong, Wen-Cheng; Mei, Lin (2017) Agrin to YAP in Cancer and Neuromuscular Junctions. Trends Cancer 3:247-248
Legay, Claire; Mei, Lin (2017) Moving forward with the neuromuscular junction. J Neurochem 142 Suppl 2:59-63
Li, Lei; Cao, Yu; Wu, Haitao et al. (2016) Enzymatic Activity of the Scaffold Protein Rapsyn for Synapse Formation. Neuron 92:1007-1019
Shen, Chengyong; Xiong, Wen C; Mei, Lin (2014) Caspase-3, shears for synapse pruning. Dev Cell 28:604-6
Liang, Chuan; Tao, Yanmei; Shen, Chengyong et al. (2012) Erbin is required for myelination in regenerated axons after injury. J Neurosci 32:15169-80
Wu, Haitao; Lu, Yisheng; Shen, Chengyong et al. (2012) Distinct roles of muscle and motoneuron LRP4 in neuromuscular junction formation. Neuron 75:94-107
Zhang, Bin; Xiong, Wen C; Mei, Lin (2009) Get ready to Wnt: prepatterning in neuromuscular junction formation. Dev Cell 16:325-7
Chen, Ping-Chung; Qin, Lu-Ning; Li, Xiao-Ming et al. (2009) The proteasome-associated deubiquitinating enzyme Usp14 is essential for the maintenance of synaptic ubiquitin levels and the development of neuromuscular junctions. J Neurosci 29:10909-19
Dobbins, G Clement; Luo, Shiwen; Yang, Zhihua et al. (2008) alpha-Actinin interacts with rapsyn in agrin-stimulated AChR clustering. Mol Brain 1:18
Zhang, Bin; Luo, Shiwen; Wang, Qiang et al. (2008) LRP4 serves as a coreceptor of agrin. Neuron 60:285-97

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