Abstract
The production of neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) in rat skeletal muscle was found to depend on muscle activity. The amounts of NT-4 messenger RNA present decreased after blockade of neuromuscular transmission with alpha-bungarotoxin and increased during postnatal development and after electrical stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. NT-4 immunoreactivity was detected in slow, type I muscle fibers. Intramuscular administration of NT-4 induced sprouting of intact adult motor nerves. Thus, muscle-derived NT-4 acted as an activity-dependent neurotrophic signal for growth and remodeling of adult motor neuron innervation. NT-4 may thus be partly responsible for the effects of exercise and electrical stimulation on neuromuscular performance.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bungarotoxins / pharmacology
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Cell Line
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Electric Stimulation
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Motor Neurons / physiology*
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Muscle Denervation
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Muscle Development
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Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / chemistry
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Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
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Muscle, Skeletal / growth & development
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Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
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Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
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Nerve Growth Factors / biosynthesis
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Nerve Growth Factors / genetics
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Nerve Growth Factors / pharmacology
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Nerve Growth Factors / physiology*
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Neuromuscular Junction / physiology
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred F344
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
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Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
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Receptor, trkB
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Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism
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Receptors, Neuropeptide / metabolism
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Sciatic Nerve / physiology
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Synaptic Transmission
Substances
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Bungarotoxins
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Nerve Growth Factors
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
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Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
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Receptors, Neuropeptide
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Receptor, trkB
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neurotrophin 4