LOCALIZATION OF DLG AT THE MAMMALIAN NEUROMUSCULAR-JUNCTION

RECENT studies have begun to elucidate the localization of ion channel s and receptors in central nervous system synapses. A family of protei ns containing PDZ domains has been suggested to play essential roles i n these processes. PSD-95 and chapsyn-110 have been implicated in the clustering of Shaker K+ channels and NMDA receptors in the mammalian b rain, and Dig plays a role in the clustering of Shaker K+ channels at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We have explored whether Dig might participate in mammalian NMJ organization. We demonstrate th at Dig is expressed in muscle and co-localizes with utrophin at the po stsynaptic face of the mammalian NMJ. Dig may therefore be important f or establishing or maintaining the organization of protein complexes a t the mammalian NMJ. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.