Recent advances in neuromuscular junction research prompted by the zebrafish model. Issue 4 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Egashira, Yoshihiro; Zempo, Buntaro; Sakata, Souhei; Ono, Fumihito
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in physiology. Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 75
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Physiology -- Periodicals; Physiological Phenomena; Periodical; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 571
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2018.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-8673

Abstract

Highlights: Zebrafish mutants with causal genes or phenotypes in the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) are discussed. Studies of these zebrafish provide novel insight into the fundamental mechanisms of the NMJ function and development. NMJ mutants are also utilized to assess pathological mechanisms and potential treatments of human diseases. Abstract : Use of zebrafish in neurobiology became popular after a large scale mutagenesis project in the 1990s produced mutants with anatomical as well as functional phenotypes in the nervous system. Zebrafish is now used in all areas of neuroscience, including in studying the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Recent advances in several aspects of the NMJ research are summarized in this short review. Discussed papers provide novel information on synaptic vesicle regulation, the postsynaptic clustering of acetylcholine receptors, and human neurological disorders.