Neuromuscular junction structure

Cholinesterases (ChEs), polymorphic carboxyles-terases of broad substrate specificity, terminate neurotransmission at cholinergic synapses and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Being sensitive to inhibition by organophosphate (OP) poisons, ChEs belong to the serine hydrolases (B type). ChEs share 65% amino acid sequence homology and have similar molecular forms and active centre structures [1]. Substrate and inhibitor specificities classify ChEs into two subtypes ... 

To achieve their different effects NTs are not only released from different neurons to act on different receptors but their biochemistry is different. While the mechanism of their release may be similar (Chapter 4) their turnover varies. Most NTs are synthesised from precursors in the axon terminals, stored in vesicles and released by arriving action potentials. Some are subsequently broken down extracellularly, e.g. acetylcholine by cholinesterase, but many, like the amino acids, are taken back into the nerve where they are incorporated into biochemical pathways that may modify their structure initially but ultimately ensure a maintained NT level. Such processes are ideally suited to the fast transmission effected by the amino acids and acetylcholine in some cases (nicotinic), and complements the anatomical features of their neurons and the recepter mechanisms they activate. Further, to ensure the maintenance of function in vital pathways, glutamate and GABA are stored in very high concentrations (10 pmol/mg) just as ACh is at the neuromuscular junction. 

According to Fig. 6.17 the nerve cell is linked to other excitable, both nerve and muscle, cells by structures called, in the case of other nerve cells, as partners, synapses, and in the case of striated muscle cells, motor end-plates neuromuscular junctions). The impulse, which is originally electric, is transformed into a chemical stimulus and again into an electrical impulse. The opening and closing of ion-selective channels present in these junctions depend on either electric or chemical actions. The substances that are active in the latter case are called neurotransmitters. A very important member of this family is acetylcholine which is transferred to the cell that receives the signal across the postsynaptic membrane or motor endplate through a... 

Xu et al. [5] described the effect of (z>)-penicillamine on the binding of several antiacetylcholine receptor monoclonal antibodies to the Torpedo acetylcholine receptor. Penicillamine is covalently incorporated into the acetylcholine receptor through SS exchange at the cysteine residues of the a-subunit, altering the antigenic structure of the receptor. This effect on the structure of the native receptor at the neuromuscular junction may be responsible for the establishment of the autoimmune response to the acetylcholine receptor in (i))-penicillamine-induced myasthenia gravis. Cysteine and penicillamine interact to form penicillamine-cysteine mixed disulfide complexes [6] ... 

Chemical transmission between nerve cells involves multiple steps 167 Neurotransmitter release is a highly specialized form of the secretory process that occurs in virtually all eukaryotic cells 168 A variety of methods have been developed to study exocytosis 169 The neuromuscular junction is a well defined structure that mediates the presynaptic release and postsynaptic effects of acetylcholine 170 Quantal analysis defines the mechanism of release as exocytosis 172 Ca2+ is necessary for transmission at the neuromuscular junction and other synapses and plays a special role in exocytosis 174 Presynaptic events during synaptic transmission are rapid, dynamic and interconnected 175... 

The neuromuscular junction is a well-defined structure that mediates the presynaptic release and postsynaptic effects of acetylcholine. The first detailed studies of... 

Asymmetric forms are present in high density at the neuromuscular junction. A second type of structural subunit, found primarily in the CNS, has a similar proline-rich attachment domain but contains covalently attached lipid, enabling this form of the enzyme to associate with cell membranes. The different C-termini and attachment modes lead to distinctive extracellular localizations of AChE but do not affect the intrinsic catalytic activities of the individual forms. 

You may be questioned on the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction and could be expected to illustrate your answer with a diagram. A well-drawn diagram will make your answer clearer. 

Many receptors for neurotransmitters function as ligand-gated channels for Na and/or Ca " ions (see p. 354). The ones that have been studied in the greatest detail are the nicotinic receptors for acetylcholine (see p. 352). These consist of five separate but structurally closely related subunits. Each forms four transmembrane helices, the second of which is involved in the central pore in each case. The type of monomer and its arrangement in the complex is not identical in all receptors of this type. In the neuromuscular junction (see p. 334), the arrangement aPya8 is found (1). 

Succinylcholine acts primarily at the skeletal neuromuscular junction and has little effect at autonomic ganglia or at postganglionic cholinergic (muscarinic) junctions. Actions at these sites attributed to succinylcholine may arise from the effects of choline. Succinylcholine has no direct action on the uterus or other smooth muscle structures. It does not enter the CNS and does not cross the placental barrier. It may, however, release histamine from mast cells. Because succinylcholine works by stimulating rather than blocking end plate receptors, anti-AChEs will not reverse muscle paralysis and may actually prolong the block. 

At the neuromuscular junction, it produces the contraction of skeletal muscle by its direct action and by inactivation of anticholinesterase and has got anticurare action. By virtue of its structural similarity to acetylcholine, it acts as partial agonist on motor end plate. 

Strains of C. botulinum produce seven antigenetically distinct neurotoxins designated as serotypes A through G. All seven serotypes have a similar structure and molecular weight, consisting of a heavy (H) chain and a light (L) chain joined by a disulfide bond. They all interfere with neural transmission by blocking the release of ACh (see Chapter 14), which is the principal neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction. 

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Organization of the Efferent System and Structure of Neuromuscular Junctions in Drosophila Andreas Prokop... 

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