Distinct Structures and Functions of Related Pre- and Postsynaptic Carbohydrates at the Mammalian Neuromuscular Junction

Carbohydrates that terminate in β-linkedN-acetylgalactosamine (βGalNAc) residues are concentrated in the postsynaptic apparatus of the skeletal neuromuscular junction and have been implicated in the differentiation of the postsynaptic membrane. We now report that distinct synapse-specific βGalNAc-co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular and cellular neuroscience 1999-02, Vol.13 (2), p.105-118
Main Authors: Martin, Paul T., Scott, Leland J.C., Porter, Brenda E., Sanes, Joshua R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetylgalactosamine - analysis
Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology
Cell Adhesion
Cells, Cultured
Epitopes - immunology
Glycolipids - chemistry
Glycoproteins - chemistry
Laminin - analysis
Lectins
Motor Endplate - chemistry
Motor Neurons - chemistry
Motor Neurons - cytology
Muscle Development
Muscle Proteins - chemistry
Muscle, Skeletal - embryology
Muscle, Skeletal - growth & development
Muscle, Skeletal - innervation
Nerve Tissue Proteins - chemistry
Oligonucleotides - chemistry
Rats
Receptors, Presynaptic - chemistry
Structure-Activity Relationship
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Summary:Carbohydrates that terminate in β-linkedN-acetylgalactosamine (βGalNAc) residues are concentrated in the postsynaptic apparatus of the skeletal neuromuscular junction and have been implicated in the differentiation of the postsynaptic membrane. We now report that distinct synapse-specific βGalNAc-containing carbohydrates are associated with motor nerve terminals. Two monoclonal antibodies that recognize distinct βGalNAc-containing epitopes, CT1 and CT2, both stain synaptic sites on skeletal muscle fibers. However, CT1 selectively stains nerve terminal, whereas CT2 selectively stains the postsynaptic apparatus. Likewise, CT1 and CT2 selectively stain motoneuron-like and muscle cell lines, respectively. Using the cell lines, we identify distinct CT1- and CT2-reactive glycolipids and glycoproteins. Finally, we show that GalNAc modulates the adhesion of motoneuron-like cells to recombinant fragments of a synaptic cleft component, laminin β2. Together, these results show that pre- as well as postsynaptic membranes bear and are affected by distinct but related synapse-specific carbohydrates.
ISSN:1044-7431
1095-9327
DOI:10.1006/mcne.1999.0737