Figure 7
Lithium restricts the localization of β-catenin and nAChR γ-subunit at the NMJ. (A) Total protein samples of LAL muscles from NaCl- and LiCl-treated mice were analysed by Western blot using specific antibodies to detect the nAChR γ-subunit (upper panel) or β-catenin (middle panel). The levels of GAPDH were used as loading control (bottom panel). (B,C) Whole-mounted LAL muscles were subjected to immunofluorescence analyses to detect β-catenin (pseudocoloured green) in uninjured (B) and denervated (C) NMJs treated with 50 mM NaCl or LiCl. Pre-existing nAChRs were labeled in vivo with 488Alexa-BTX (BTX1, pseudocoloured red). Arrows show β-catenin staining in specific foci within the endplate of lithium-treated fibres. Bar = 20 µm.
