Abstract
The effect of extracellular Ca2+ concentration and myasthenic globulin on the distribution and appearance of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters on rat myotubes was studied with tetramethyl-rhodamine-labeled αBTX. Low Ca2+ medium (2.5 x 10-5 M) caused a time-dependent loss of AChR clusters, and a concomitant increase in small punctate areas of fluorescence. High Ca2+ concentrations (1.5 x 10-2 M) increased the size of AChR clusters without altering AChR synthesis. These changes were not observed with other divalent ions. In the presence of myasthenic globulin, the rate of AChR turnover increases, and AChR clusters are rapidly dispersed. High Ca2+ concentration partially protects the AChR clusters from dispersal and decreases the rate of receptor turnover.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 507-517 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Cell Biology |
Volume | 98 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1984 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology