Involvement of extracellular matrix in acetylcholine receptor ϵ-subunit gene expression at the rat neuromuscular junction

During neuromuscular development, the nerve induces the expression of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) ϵ-subunit gene selectively in synaptic myonuclei. Here we show that even after elimination of neural effects by denervation, synaptic expression of ϵ-subunit transcripts is maintained for > 4 months. In contrast, after damage of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by treatment with proteolytic enzymes, e-subunit mRNA is significantly reduced within less than 1 day, indicating a role of ECM in the regulation of AChR subunit transcripts at the synapse.