Prion protein potentiates acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction

• Published in: Pharmacological research Vol. 53; no. 1; pp. 62 - 68
• Main Authors: Re, Lamberto, Rossini, Francesca, Re, Francesco, Bordicchia, Marica, Mercanti, Alessandra, Fernandez, Olga Sonia Leon, Barocci, Simone
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 2006
• Subjects: Acetylcholine; Acetylcholine - secretion; Animals; Electric Conductivity; Loose patch clamp; Male; Mice; Neuromuscular junction; Neuromuscular Junction - drug effects; Neuromuscular Junction - secretion; Patch-Clamp Techniques - methods; Peripheral nervous system; Prion protein; PrPC Proteins - pharmacology; Peripheral nervous system; Loose patch clamp; Acetylcholine; Prion protein; Neuromuscular junction
• ISSN: 1043-6618; 1096-1186
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2005.09.002

Cellular prion protein (PrP c), the normal isoform of the pathogenic peptide (PrP sc) responsible of the transmissible spongiform encephalopaties (TSEs), is present in many neural tissues, including neuromuscular junctions (NMJ). To analyze if this protein could influence the synaptic transmission, we performed an electrophysiological approach to study the effect of cellular prion protein on a mammalian neuromuscular junction. The loose patch clamp (LPC) technique enables the study of the whole preparation including the pre- and the post-synaptic domains. In a mouse phrenic–diaphragm preparation, nanomolar concentrations of cellular prion protein were able to induce a very striking potentiation of the acetylcholine (ACh) release. The effect was mainly pre-synaptic with an increase of the amplitude of the miniature end-plate currents, probably calcium dependent. Moreover, an apparent facilitation of the synaptic transmission was noted. The results clearly indicate that cellular prion protein may play a key role in the function of the neuromuscular junction.