Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 5, 2553-2558, Copyright © 1985 by Society for Neuroscience
Muscle denervation increases the levels of two mRNAs coding for the acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit
D Goldman, J Boulter, S Heinemann and J Patrick
The mRNA coding for the alpha-subunit of the acetylcholine receptor was
studied in mouse leg and rat diaphragm muscle. We find that denervation of
rat diaphragm results in a 7-fold increase in mRNA coding for the
alpha-subunit, whereas denervation of mouse leg muscle results in
approximately a 50-fold increase in alpha-subunit-specific mRNA. The
relationship of the mRNAs purified from innervated and denervated muscle
was investigated by SI nuclease mapping. Two mRNA species were found in
both innervated and denervated muscle which differ in their 3'-
untranslated region. The levels of both these mRNA species increase upon
denervation of mouse leg muscle.