Roles of neuro-exocytotic proteins at the neuromuscular junction

Abstract

The aim of the studies described in the thesis was to elucidate the roles of several neuro-exocytotic proteins at the motor nerve terminal in neuromuscular synaptic transmission, making use of genetic knockout (KO) mice, each missing one (or more) neuro-exocytotic proteins. In addition, it was investigated in a pharmacological mouse model for myasthenia gravis whether some of these proteins play a role in the phenomenon of compensatory upregulation of acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction in this disease.