| First Author | Zhang B | Year | 2007 |
| Journal | J Neurosci | Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 15 | Pages | 3968-73 |
| PubMed ID | 17428970 | Mgi Jnum | J:120964 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3708429 | Doi | 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4691-06.2007 |
| Citation | Zhang B, et al. (2007) Beta-catenin regulates acetylcholine receptor clustering in muscle cells through interaction with rapsyn. J Neurosci 27(15):3968-73 |
| abstractText | Agrin is believed to be a factor used by motoneurons to direct acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering at the neuromuscular junction. However, exactly how agrin mediates this effect remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that the beta-catenin interacts with rapsyn, a molecule key for AChR clustering. Agrin stimulation increases the association of beta-catenin with surface AChRs. Suppression of beta-catenin expression inhibited agrin-induced AChR clustering, suggesting a necessary role of beta-catenin in this event. The beta-catenin action did not appear to require the function of T-cell factors (TCFs), suggesting a mechanism independent of TCF-mediated transcription. In contrast, prevention of beta-catenin from interacting with alpha-catenin attenuated agrin-induced AChR clustering. These results suggest that beta-catenin may serve as a link between AChRs and alpha-catenin-associated cytoskeleton, revealing a novel function of beta-catenin in synaptogenesis. |
