Neurotrophin-3 And Trkc In Muscle Are Non-essential For The Development Of Mouse Muscle Spindles

Neurotrophin-3 And Trkc In Muscle Are Non-essential For The Development Of Mouse Muscle Spindles

Kucera J; Fan G P; Walro J; Copray S; Tessarollo L; Jaenisch R

Neuroreport

1998

1998-03

NEUROTROPHIN-3 (NT3) or TrkC null mutant mice were examined for the presence of muscle spindles. Muscles of mastication, but not limbs, contained spindles in newborn and adolescent mutants. The intramuscular distribution and morphological properties of spindles in mutant masticatory muscles were indistinguishable from those of wild-type spindles. Intrafusal fibers of NT3- or trkC-deficient spindles expressed the slow-tonic isoform of myosin heavy chains, characteristic of wild-type spindles. Sensory nerve endings were observed in spindles of mutants by electron microscopy. Thus, NT3 or trkC, which is expressed in wild-type spindles, may serve functions other than those related to spindle assembly. Presumably, proprioceptive neurons innervating jaw muscles are dependent on factors other than NT3 for survival and maintenance. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.

afferents; expression; growth factors; mice; muscle spindles; neonatal rats; neurons; Neurosciences & Neurology; neurotrophin-3; proprioception; transgenic mice; TrkC

Journal Article or Conference Abstract Publication

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

905-909

5

9