Abnormal Membrane Localization of α2 Isoform of Na,K-ATPase in m. soleus of Dysferlin-Deficient Mice

Skeletal Muscle Na,K-ATPase as a Target for Circulating Ouabain

While the role of circulating ouabain-like compounds in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, kidney and other tissues in health and disease is well documented, little is known about its effects in skeletal muscle. In this study, rats were intraperitoneally injected with ouabain (0.1-10 µg/kg for 4 days) alone or with subsequent injections of lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg). Some rats were also subjected to disuse for 6 h by hindlimb suspension. In the diaphragm muscle, chronic ouabain (1 µg/kg) hyperpolarized resting potential of extrajunctional membrane due to specific increase in electrogenic transport activity of the 2 Na,K-ATPase isozyme and without changes in 1 and 2 Na,K-ATPase protein content. Ouabain (10-20 nM), acutely applied to isolated intact diaphragm muscle from not injected rats, hyperpolarized the membrane to a similar extent. Chronic ouabain administration prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced (diaphragm muscle) or disuse-induced (soleus muscle) depolarization of the extrajunctional membrane. No stimulation of the 1 Na,K-ATPase activity in human red blood cells, purified lamb kidney and Torpedo membrane preparations by low ouabain concentrations was observed. Our results suggest that skeletal muscle electrogenesis is subjected to regulation by circulating ouabain via the 2 Na,K-ATPase isozyme that could be important for adaptation of this tissue to functional impairment.

Isoform-specific Na,K-ATPase and membrane cholesterol remodeling in motor endplates in distinct mouse models of myodystrophy

Na,K-ATPase is a membrane transporter that is critically important for skeletal muscle function. Mdx and Bla/J mice are the experimental models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and dysferlinopathy that are known to differ in the molecular mechanism of the pathology. This study examines the function of α1- and α2-Na,K-ATPase isozymes in respiratory diaphragm and postural soleus muscles from mdx and Bla/J mice compared with control С57Bl/6 mice. In diaphragm muscles, the motor endplate structure was severely disturbed (manifested by defragmentation) in mdx mice only. The endplate membrane of both Bla/J and mdx mice was depolarized due to specific loss of the α2-Na,K-ATPase electrogenic activity and its decreased membrane abundance. Total FXYD1 subunit (modulates Na,K-ATPase activity) abundance was decreased in both mouse models. However, the α2-Na,K-ATPase protein content as well as mRNA expression were specifically and significantly reduced only in mdx mice. The endplate membrane cholesterol redistribution was most pronounced in mdx mice. Soleus muscles from Bla/J and mdx mice demonstrated reduction of the α2-Na,K-ATPase membrane abundance and mRNA expression similar to the diaphragm muscles. In contrast to diaphragm, the α2-Na,K-ATPase protein content was altered in both Bla/J and mdx mice; membrane cholesterol re-distribution was not observed. Thus, the α2-Na,K-ATPase is altered in both Bla/J and mdx mouse models of chronic muscle pathology. However, despite some similarities, the α2-Na,K-ATPase and cholesterol abnormalities are more pronounced in mdx mice.

Low Ouabain Doses and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase as Factors Supporting Electrogenesis in Skeletal Muscle

Many motor disorders are associated with depolarization of the membrane of skeletal muscle fibers due to the impaired functioning of Na,K-ATPase. Here, we studied the role of ouabain (specific Na,K-ATPase ligand) and AMP-activated protein kinase (key regulator of muscle metabolism) in the maintenance of muscle electrogenesis; the levels of these endogenous factors are directly related to the motor activity. After 4-day intraperitoneal administration of ouabain (1 µg/kg daily), a hyperpolarization of sarcolemma was registered in isolated rat diaphragm muscles due to an increase in the electrogenic activity of Na,K-ATPase. In acute experiments, addition of nanomolar ouabain concentrations to the bathing solution resulted in the muscle membrane hyperpolarization within 15 min. The effect of ouabain reversed to membrane depolarization with the increase in the external potassium concentration. It is possible that Na,K-ATPase activation by ouabain may be regulated by such factors as specific subcellular location, interaction with molecular partners, and changes in the ionic balance. Preventive administration of the AMP-activated protein kinase activator AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside; 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 7 days) in chronic experiments resulted in the stabilization of the endplate structure and abolishment of depolarization of the rat soleus muscle membrane caused by the motor activity cessation. The obtained data can be useful for creating approaches for correction of muscle dysfunction, especially at the early stages, prior to the development of muscle atrophy.