The effects of occlusal activity on AChR clustering in mouse masticatory muscles

烟碱乙酰胆碱受体（nictinic acetylcholine receptor, nAChR）聚类是神经肌肉连接处（NMJ）突触发生的关键事件，是运动神经元向骨骼肌有效传递神经信号的关键。本研究试图阐明咬合对nAChR在咬肌NMJ聚集的贡献，以mi/mi为模型系统。本研究结果提示心肌/心肌咬肌NMJ内nAChR簇的异常形成，提示闭塞对nAChR簇在NMJ内的正常进展至关重要。

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) clustering is a key event in the synaptogenesis of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) for the efficient transmission of neural signals from motor neurons to skeletal muscle. The present study attempted to elucidate the contribution of occlusion to the clustering of nAChR in the NMJ of the masseter, with mi/mi as a model system. The present results indicate abnormal formation of the nAChR cluster in the NMJ of the masseter of mi/mi, suggesting that occlusion is essential for the normal progress of nAChR clustering in the NMJ.