Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Detection of G Protein-coupled Receptor Expression in Mouse Vagal Afferent Neurons using Multiplex In Situ Hybridization
Published on: September 20, 2021
Expression of human GFR alpha-1 (GDNF receptor) at the neuromuscular junction and myelinated nerves
1Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Motor neurons have been known to require a wide variety of neurotrophic factors for their survival. As one of the target-derived trophic factors, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to exert its effects on motor neurons via a receptor complex including GDNF receptor alpha 1 (GFR alpha-1). Immunoreactivity of GFR alpha-1 was observed at myelinated peripheral nerves and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of human skeletal muscles. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses showed that mRNA of GFR alpha-1 existed in the ventral horn of human spinal cord, but not in the skeletal muscles. The results suggested that GFR alpha-1 might play a key role for uptake and internalization of GDNF at the human NMJ.
More Related Videos
08:42Visualizing the Morphological Characteristics of Neuromuscular Junction in Rat Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle
Published on: May 17, 2022
08:41Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions
Published on: August 14, 2021
Related Concept Videos
The Neuromuscular Junction
Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or...
Sympathetic Signaling
Sympathetic preganglionic fibers release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) onto the ganglionic neurons in the...
Enzyme-linked Receptors
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade