Vezatin is required for the maturation of the neuromuscular synapse

Authors
N Koppel, MB Friese, HL Cardasis, TA Neubert et al

Lab
Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY

Journal
Molecular Biology of the Cell

Abstract
Key genes, such as Agrin, Lrp4, and MuSK, are required for the initial formation, subsequent maturation, and long-term stabilization of mammalian neuromuscular synapses. Additional molecules are thought to function selectively during the evolution and stabilization of these synapses, but these molecular players are largely unknown. Here, we used mass spectrometry to identify vezatin, a two-pass transmembrane protein, as an acetylcholine receptor (AChR)Ðassociated protein, and we provide evidence that vezatin binds directly to AChRs. We show that vezatin is dispensable for the formation of synapses but plays a later role in the emergence of a topologically complex and branched shape of the synapse, as well as the stabilization of AChRs. In addition, neuromuscular synapses in vezatin mutant mice display premature signs of deterioration, normally found only during aging. Thus, vezatin has a selective role in the structural elaboration and postnatal maturation of murine neuromuscular synapses.

BIOSEB Instruments Used:
Grip strength test (BIO-GS3)