Neuregulin Effect on Quantal Content Dissociated From Effect on Miniature Endplate Potential Amplitude

Members of the neuregulin family of signaling proteins increase transcription of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) subunit genes in muscle fibers and the number of AChRs in the muscle membrane. In adult mice heterozygous for targeted deletion of type I neuregulins (Ig-NRG+/−), postsynaptic AChR density was decreased and transmitter release was increased. We examined the relationship between functional AChR density and ACh release in postnatal day 7 (P7), P14, and adult NRG-deficient mice. Here we report that changes in postsynaptic sensitivity and transmitter release are not temporally coupled during postnatal development in Ig-NRG–deficient mice. Although miniature endplate potential (MEPP) amplitude was decreased compared with control in P7 Ig-NRG+/− mice, quantum content was not increased. Quantum content was increased in adult heterozygotes despite normal MEPP amplitudes. Thus, during postnatal maturation, both quantal size and quantum content were influenced by decreased Ig-NRG expression, although the effects were dissociated in time.

Habitual exercise enhances neuromuscular transmission efficacy of rat soleus muscle in situ

Rat motor nerve terminals and the endplates they interact with exhibit changes to varying patterns of use, as when exposed to increased activation in the form of endurance exercise training. The extent to which these changes affect neuromuscular transmission efficacy is uncertain. In this study, the effects of habitual exercise on the electrophysiological properties of neuromuscular transmission in rat soleus muscle were investigated using a novel in situ approach. Consistent with previous reports, miniature endplate potential frequency was enhanced by habitual exercise. Other passive properties, such as resting membrane potential, miniature endplate potential amplitude, and “giant” miniature endplate potential characteristics were unaltered by the training program. Full-size endplate potentials were obtained by blocking soleus muscle action potentials with μ-conotoxin GIIIb. Quantal content values were 91.5 and 119.9 for control and active groups, respectively ( P < 0.01). We also measured the rate and extent of endplate potential amplitude rundown during 3-s trains of continuous stimulation at 25, 50, and 75 Hz; at 50 and 75 Hz, we found both the rate and extent of rundown to be significantly attenuated (10–20%) in a specific population of cells from active rats ( P < 0.05). The results establish the degree of activity-dependent plasticity as it pertains to neuromuscular transmission in a mammalian slow-twitch muscle.

Oscillation period of MEPP frequency at frog neuromuscular junctions is inversely correlated with release efficacy and independent of acute Ca 2+ loading

Periodic oscillations in miniature endplate potential (MEPP) frequency have been described at the frog neuromuscular junction. It is assumed that the periodic oscillations in MEPP frequency reflect cytosolic oscillations in intracellular Ca 2+ concentration. In the course of a study related to describing the differences between weak and strong neuro­muscular junctions by using the post-tetanic potentiation of MEPP fre­quency, we noted periodic oscillations in MEPP frequency in the first few minutes after a tetanus. The period of this oscillation (i. e. the time interval of one complete oscillation cycle) was inversely related to syn­aptic release efficacy, as measured by quantal content released per 100 μ m of nerve terminal length. Junctions of high release efficacy have an oscillation period of 20 s or less whereas the oscillations in weaker junc­tions have periods of up to 60 s or longer. This relation is very similar during post-tetanic recovery in either a calcium containing Ringer solution or in a zero calcium-EGTA Ringer solution, indicating that external calcium is not necessary to express the phenomenon. We also found that the oscillations are apparent in resting junctions preceding a tetanus and that they are similar in period and show the same inverse relation to synaptic strength.