| First Author | Duclert A | Year | 1996 |
| Journal | J Biol Chem | Volume | 271 |
| Issue | 29 | Pages | 17433-8 |
| PubMed ID | 8663316 | Mgi Jnum | J:34156 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:81625 | Doi | 10.1074/jbc.271.29.17433 |
| Citation | Duclert A, et al. (1996) Identification of an element crucial for the sub-synaptic expression of the acetylcholine receptor epsilon-subunit gene. J Biol Chem 271(29):17433-8 |
| abstractText | The adult neuromuscular junction displays an accumulation of both the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) protein in the subneural domain of the post-synaptic membrane and the mRNAs coding for all its subunits at the level of the subjunctional fundamental nuclei. In the course of end plate development, the epsilon-subunit, at variance with other subunits, becomes exclusively expressed at the level of the fundamental nuclei, yet at a rather late stage (around birth). To analyze the promoter region of the epsilon-subunit gene which directs its specific expression at the synapse, we used a quantitative transient in vivo expression assay in intact muscle tissue using constructs of the epsilon-subunit promoter placed upstream of the beta-galactosidase reporter gene. One crucial element for synapse-specific expression was detected between the -11 and -6 positions. Disruption of this element, either by a scanning mutation or single base mutations, greatly diminishes, or even completely inhibits, preferential expression of the transgene at the end plate. Gel shift experiments reveal the presence of a complex in nuclear muscle extracts that bind the core sequence of this element. The identification of such a site opens the possibility to identify regulatory factors responsible for compartmentalized expression at the neuromuscular junction. |
