The synaptic cleft of the neuromuscular junction

The basal lamina (BL) that ensheaths each skeletal musclefiber passes between the pre- and postsynaptic membranes at the neuromuscular junction. A consequence of this arrangement is that BL comprises much of the synaptic cleft material of this synapse. Some of the cues that guide differentiation and regeneration of both pre- and postsynaptic components are stably associated with synaptic BL. This paper reviews studies aimed at identifying these components and learning how they work.