Analysis of mRNAs that are enriched in the post-synaptic domain of the neuromuscular junction

The identity of synaptically-enriched genes was investigated by comparing the abundance of various mRNAs in the synaptic and extra-synaptic regions of the same muscle fibers. The mRNAs for several known synaptic proteins were significantly elevated in the synaptic region when measured by real-time PCR. The synaptic mRNAs were then further analyzed using microarrays and real-time PCR to identify putative regulators of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). MRF4 was the only member of the MyoD family that was concentrated at the mature NMJ, suggesting that it may have a unique role in the maintenance of post-synaptic specialization. Three potential regulators of the NMJ were identified and confirmed by real-time PCR: glia maturation factor gamma was concentrated at the NMJ whereas Unr protein and protein tyrosine phosphatase were repressed synaptically. The identification of synaptically-repressed genes may indicate that synaptic specialization is created by a combination of positive and negative signals.