Abstract
An accurate communication between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers is required for the proper assembly, growth and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Several signaling and extracellular matrix molecules play stimulatory and inhibitory roles on the assembly of functional synapses. Studies in Drosophila have revealed crucial functions for early morphogens, such as members of the Wnt and Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) signaling pathways, during the assembly and maturation of the NMJ. Here, we bring together recent findings that led us to propose that BMPs also work in vertebrate organisms as diffusible cues to communicate motor neurons and skeletal muscles.
Highlights
The establishment of functional neuromuscular synapses is essential for the coordinated movement of the organisms
It has been demonstrated that the embryonic formation of the vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is driven by signaling and extracellular matrix molecules derived from presynaptic motor neurons and from postsynaptic muscle cells that are intermingled to assemble functional synapses
Members of the fibroblast growth factor family are required for the initiation of presynaptic terminals, laminins act as crucial molecules for presynaptic maturation, and collagens positively affect the maintainance of proper NMJs (Fox et al, 2007)
Summary
Bone morphogenetic protein signaling in vertebrate motor neurons and neuromuscular communication. Reviewed by: Francesc Ventura, University of Barcelona, Spain Mihaela Serpe, National Institutes of Health, USA. An accurate communication between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers is required for the proper assembly, growth and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Several signaling and extracellular matrix molecules play stimulatory and inhibitory roles on the assembly of functional synapses. Studies in Drosophila have revealed crucial functions for early morphogens, such as members of the Wnt and Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) signaling pathways, during the assembly and maturation of the NMJ. We bring together recent findings that led us to propose that BMPs work in vertebrate organisms as diffusible cues to communicate motor neurons and skeletal muscles
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