It is well recognized that R-cadherin plays important roles in the developing nervous system. In the present study we investigated R-cadherin expression in skeletal muscle in denervation/reinnervation process. After rat sciatic nerve was resected by fine scissors, the nerve was sutured using 10-0 monofilament nylon suture. At various periods up to 24 weeks after the operation, the rats were killed by cervical dislocation, and the gastrocnemius muscle was removed. R-cadherin expression in the muscle was detected by Western blot analysis using anti-R-cadherin monoclonal antibody. The level of R-cadherin expression in the muscle was calculated as the relative amount to that found in normal control muscle. The level of R-cadherin expression was increased at 1,2,4 postoperative weeks, but the level decreased gradually and returned to the control level on 9th postoperative week. The maximum level of R-cadherin was 2.83±0.05 fold at 1st postoperative week (Fig. 1). The operated foot started to move at the 6th postoperative week, and the degree increased with time. Theseresults demonstrated that the level of R-cadherin expression in skeletal muscle increased in denervation/reinnervation process. Moreover, it may be suggested that expressed R-cadherin plays important roles in the functional regeneration of the skeletal muscle.

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