Neuromuscular Transmission

The unique isolated situation and ready accessibility of the neuromuscular junction has made the whole process of neuromuscular transmission a prototype for synaptic interactions in general. Over the last two decades, the study of neuromuscular transmission has evolved to the extent that many of the events can be identified at the molecular level and related to specific membrane proteins. This book, a collection of chapters written by acknowledged field leaders, provides an up-to-date, comprehensive review of this multidisciplinary subject. It is roughly divided into three sections. The introductory chapters draw a molecular picture of the structure and development of the neuromuscular junction, and summarise basic electrophysiology and general techniques. These are followed by chapters on the biochemistry of ACh and the biophysics of ACh/AChR interactions, and the molecular biology of the AChR and of the various voltage-dependent ion channels, with particular reference to the use of neurotoxins and antibodies in characterisation and structural analysis.