How sodium channels gather at the nerve–muscle connection
Mechanisms of sodium channel clustering at the neuromuscular junction
Learning how sodium channels and the protein dystrophin cluster at the point where nerves meet muscles to help explain muscle weakness in aging and neuromuscular conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249993 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses specially engineered mouse models to map proteins sitting at the neuromuscular junction and its surrounding zone. Researchers will use a proximity-labeling tool (TurboID) to tag nearby proteins and identify new molecules involved in organizing sodium channels and dystrophin. They will test important candidate genes using muscle-directed AAV delivery and CRISPR/Cas9 editing, and study mice that lack two newly identified proteins, Plin4 and Speg. The goal is to understand how aging and disease change the fine organization that keeps nerve–muscle signaling strong.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with neuromuscular junction disorders (for example myasthenic syndromes), unexplained muscle fatigue, or age-related muscle weakness would be most relevant to follow this work and consider future related studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose problems stem mainly from central nervous system disorders or from muscle diseases that do not involve the neuromuscular junction are unlikely to benefit directly from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new molecular targets to prevent or reduce muscle fatigue and weakness in disorders that affect the neuromuscular junction or with aging.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work identified roles for ankyrins and spectrins in channel clustering, but combining proximity proteomics with muscle-targeted CRISPR and new knockout mice to map the PJZ is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rasband, Matthew N — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Rasband, Matthew N
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.