Fig. 1: The Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) Microenvironment.
From: A molecular systems architecture of neuromuscular junction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
NMJ is the region where signal transduction for muscle contraction occurs by the release of acetylcholine (Ach) from the motor neuron terminal to the skeletal muscle cell endplate. The NMJ microenvironment includes astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, terminal Schwann cells, microglial cell, and endothelial cells. In ALS, dysfunction in signal transduction across NMJ leads to denervation of the skeletal muscle cell, muscle atrophy, and neurodegeneration. Ach Acetylcholine.
