TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION AND SYNAPSE FORMATION AT THE NEUROMUSCULAR-JUNCTION

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is prevalent throughout the nervous s ystem. It has been implicated to play an important role in the develop ment and maintenance of neuronal functions. In the past few years sign ificant advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of synapse formation and synaptic plasticity. Protein tyros ine phosphorylation appears to be important in the neuron-induced synt hesis of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and aggregation of synap tic proteins at the neuromuscular junction during development. In addi tion, protein tyrosine phosphorylation may regulate the ion channel ac tivity of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.