Translational level of acetylcholine receptor α mRNA in mouse skeletal muscle is regulated by YB-1 in response to neural activity

► YB-1 expression in mouse skeletal muscle is limited to the early postnatal period. ► YB-1 binds to AChR α mRNA in polysomes in 3-day-old muscle. ► In C2C12 myotubes, translation of AChR α mRNA was induced by nicotine treatment. ► Neural activity reduced the molar ratio of YB-1 bound to AChR α mRNA in polysomes. ► The level of AChR α protein was transiently increased at postnatal day 10.