Title:At the “Junction” of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Pathogenesis: The Role of Neuromuscular Junction Dysfunction in SMA Disease Progression
Volume: 13
Issue: 7
Author(s): B. B. Goulet, R. Kothary and R. J. Parks
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Genetic disease, neuromuscular junction, pathogenesis, spinal muscular atrophy.
Abstract: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by mutations that reduce the level of the survival motor
neuron protein (SMN) resulting in death of alpha-motor neurons, yet it is unclear why these cells are
preferentially affected by a reduction in this ubiquitously-expressed protein. In mouse models of SMA, one of
the earliest events detected is defects at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Although NMJs are established at
a normal frequency, there are structural as well as functional perturbations and a lack of maturation of the
primitive synapse. These early defects are followed by loss of the NMJ, denervation of the muscle and onset of
muscle atrophy. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the contribution of NMJ dysfunction in
SMA disease pathogenesis, and also provide an overview of therapies currently under preclinical and clinical
development for treatment of SMA.
