Developmental neuromuscular synapse elimination: Activity-dependence and potential downstream effector mechanisms. (23rd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Young il
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 718(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-23
• Subjects: Neuromuscular junction -- Synapse elimination -- Neuromuscular activity -- Schwann cells -- Muscle fiber types; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134724
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Neuromuscular synapse elimination is activity-driven. More active motor neurons possess a competitive advantage. Motor axons, Schwann cells and myofibers all actively participate in synapse elimination. Neuromuscular activity-modulated effector mechanisms remain obscure. Abstract: Synaptic connections initially formed during nervous system development undergo a significant transformation during nervous system maturation. Such maturation is essential for the proper architecture and function of the nervous system. Developmental synaptic transformation includes "synapse elimination, " a process in which multiple immature presynaptic inputs converge at and compete for control of a common postsynaptic target. This developmental synaptic remodeling is best understood at mammalian neuromuscular junctions. It is well established that neuromuscular activity provides the impetus for the pruning of redundant motor axon inputs. Despite the dominant influence neuromuscular activity exerts on developmental synapse elimination, however, the downstream mechanisms of neuromuscular activity that affect synapse elimination remain poorly understood. Conversely, although several cellular and molecular effector mechanisms are known to impact synapse elimination, it is unclear whether they are modulated by neuromuscular activity. This review discusses how the motor neurons, synaptic glia and muscle fibers each contributes to the developmental phenomenon, and speculates how neuromuscular activity may modulate these contributions.