Calcium influx through muscle nAChR-channels: one route, multiple roles
Although Ca2+ influx through muscle nAChR-channels has been described over the past 40 years, its functions remain still poorly understood. In this review we suggest possible roles of Ca2+ entry at all stages of muscle development, summarizing the evidence present in literature. nAChRs are expressed in myoblasts prior to fusion, and can be activated in the absence of an ACh-releasing nerve terminal, with Ca2+ influx likely contributing to regulate cell fusion.