A 23-year-old photographer begins to experience 'strange' symptoms. She begins to experience eyestrain after reading for 15 minutes, she becomes tired after chewing her food, brushing her teeth, or even combing her hair. Her work as a photographer suffers because she is unable to carry her equipment. She is evaluated by her physician, who suspects myasthenia gravis. While waiting for the results of a serum antibody test, the physician begins a treatment regimen using pyridostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The woman immediately feels better and her strength returns. The results of the antibody test come in and the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is confirmed. Use these results and your knowledge of the neuromuscular junction to answer the questions below.
a. Given what you know about muscle neurotransmission, speculate as to the identity of the antibody (what is being bound?)
b. Given the answers to 'a' combined with your knowledge of neuromuscular function, why would this person suffer from muscle weakness?