Presynaptic Active Zones of Mammalian Neuromuscular Junctions: Nanoarchitecture and Selective Impairments in Aging

Overview

Journal Neurosci Res

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Neurology

Date 2017 Dec 10

PMID 29221906

Citations 12

Authors

Yomna Badawi

Hiroshi Nishimune

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Neurotransmitter release occurs at active zones, which are specialized regions of the presynaptic membrane. A dense collection of proteins at the active zone provides a platform for molecular interactions that promote recruitment, docking, and priming of synaptic vesicles. At mammalian neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), muscle-derived laminin β2 interacts with presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels to organize active zones. The molecular architecture of presynaptic active zones has been revealed using super-resolution microscopy techniques that combine nanoscale resolution and multiple molecular identification. Interestingly, the active zones of adult NMJs are not stable structures and thus become impaired during aging due to the selective degeneration of specific active zone proteins. This review will discuss recent progress in the understanding of active zone nanoarchitecture and the mechanisms underlying active zone organization in mammalian NMJs. Furthermore, we will summarize the age-related degeneration of active zones at NMJs, and the role of exercise in maintaining active zones.

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