Implication of geranylgeranyltransferase I in synapse formation

Abstract

Agrin activates the transmembrane tyrosine kinase MuSK to mediate acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). However, the intracellular signaling mechanism downstream of MuSK is poorly characterized. This study provides evidence that geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGT) is an important signaling component in the Agrin/MuSK pathway. Agrin causes a rapid increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the α G/F subunit of GGT and in GGT activity. Inhibition of GGT activity or expression prevents muscle cells from forming AChR clusters in response to Agrin and attenuates the formation of neuromuscular synapses in spinal neuron-muscle cocultures. Importantly, transgenic mice expressing an αG/F mutant demonstrate NMJ defects with wider endplate bands and smaller AChR plaques. These results support the notion that prenylation is necessary for AChR clustering and the NMJ formation and/or maintenance, revealing an active role of GGT in Agrin/MuSK signaling.