Comparative studies of the MG activated ATPase activity and Ca uptake of fractions of white and red muscle homogenates

Fiber Types in Mammalian Skeletal Muscles

Mammalian skeletal muscle comprises different fiber types, whose identity is first established during embryonic development by intrinsic myogenic control mechanisms and is later modulated by neural and hormonal factors. The relative proportion of the different fiber types varies strikingly between species, and in humans shows significant variability between individuals. Myosin heavy chain isoforms, whose complete inventory and expression pattern are now available, provide a useful marker for fiber types, both for the four major forms present in trunk and limb muscles and the minor forms present in head and neck muscles. However, muscle fiber diversity involves all functional muscle cell compartments, including membrane excitation, excitation-contraction coupling, contractile machinery, cytoskeleton scaffold, and energy supply systems. Variations within each compartment are limited by the need of matching fiber type properties between different compartments. Nerve activity is a major control mechanism of the fiber type profile, and multiple signaling pathways are implicated in activity-dependent changes of muscle fibers. The characterization of these pathways is raising increasing interest in clinical medicine, given the potentially beneficial effects of muscle fiber type switching in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.

RyR isoforms and fibre type-specific expression of proteins controlling intracellular calcium concentration in skeletal muscles

Muscle fibres which shorten with high maximum shortening velocity also exhibit fast kinetics of contraction, i.e. short values of time to peak tension and time to half relaxation. This short review aims to discuss the molecular basis of such correlation, to reach, based on the available literature, an answer to the question whether there is a correlation in expression of proteins determining shortening velocity, myosin isoforms in the first place, and proteins controlling cytosolic calcium concentration and its variations at rest or during contraction. Although the isoforms of RyR, the sarcoplasmic calcium release channels, do not show a tightly coordinated expression with myosin isoforms, other proteins involved in controlling intracellular calcium do. This is likely sufficient to guarantee the correlation between maximum shortening velocity and speed of isometric contraction.

Distribution of calcium ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of fast- and slow-twitch muscles determined with monoclonal antibodies

Four monoclonal antibodies against the calcium ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbit fast-twitch skeletal muscle were characterized using SDS-PAGE, Western blots and immunofluorescence. The ultrastructural distribution of the antigens was determined using post-embedding immunolabeling. The antibodies recognized the calcium ATPase in the SR but not in transverse (T-) tubule or plasma membranes. The antibody, D12, had the same binding affinity for the calcium ATPase from fast-twitch (rabbit sternomastoid) and slow-twitch (rabbit soleus) fibers and the affinity fell by 30% after fixation for electron microscopy in both types of muscle fiber. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the density of D12 antibody binding to the terminal cisternae membrane of extensor digitorum longus (edl) and sternomastoid fibers was on average seven times greater than in the slow-twitch soleus and semimembranosus fibers. Since the affinity of the ATPase for the antibody was the same in SR from fast- and slow-twitch muscles, the concentration of calcium ATPase in the terminal cisternae membrane of fast-twitch fibers was seven times greater than in slow-twitch fibers. This conclusion was supported by the fact that the concentration of calcium ATPase in light SR membranes was six times greater in SR from fast-twitch fibers than in SR from slow-twitch fibers. The results provide strong evidence that the different calcium accumulation rates in mammalian fast- and slow-twitch muscles are due to different concentrations of calcium ATPase molecules in the SR membrane.

Immunochemical quantification of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase, of calsequestrin and of parvalbumin in rabbit skeletal muscles of defined fiber composition

Antibodies directed against purified Ca-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum, calsequestrin and parvalbumin from rabbit fast-twitch muscle were raised in sheep. The specificity of the antibodies was shown by immunoblot analysis and by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays (ELISAs). IgG against the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase inhibited the catalytic activities of Ca-ATPase from fast-twitch (psoas, tibialis anterior) and slow-twitch (soleus) muscles to the same degree. In non-equilibrium competitive ELISAs the anti(Ca-ATPase) IgG displayed a slightly higher affinity for the Ca-ATPase from fast-twitch muscle than for that from slow-twitch muscle. This suggests a fiber-type-specific polymorphism of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase. Quantification of Ca-ATPase, calsequestrin and parvalbumin in various rabbit skeletal muscles of histochemically determined fiber composition was achieved by sandwich ELISA. Ca-ATPase was found to be 6-7 times higher in fast than in slow-twitch muscles. A slightly higher concentration was found in fast-twitch muscles with a higher percentage of IIb fibers when compared with fast-twitch muscles with a higher percentage of IIa fibers. Thus Ca-ATPase is distributed as follows, IIb greater than or equal to IIa much greater than I. Calsequestrin was uniformly distributed in fast-twitch muscles independently of their IIa/IIb fiber ratio and displayed 50% lower concentrations in slow than in fast-twitch muscles (IIb = IIa greater than I). Parvalbumin contents were 200-300-fold higher in fast than in slow-twitch muscles. Significantly lower parvalbumin concentrations were found in fast-twitch muscles with a higher percentage of IIa fibers than in fast-twitch muscles with a higher percentage of IIb fibers (IIb greater than IIa much greater than I).

Neural control of phenotypic expression in mammalian muscle fibers

In this review, the present knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the control of the phenotypic expression of mammalian muscle fibers is summarized. There is a discussion as to how the activity imposed on the muscle fibers by the motoneuron finally induces in the muscle cells the expression of those genes that define its particular phenotype. The functional and molecular heterogeneity of skeletal muscle is thus defined by the existence of motor units with varied function, while the homogeneity of muscle fibers belonging to the same motor unit is yet another indication of the importance of activity in the control of gene expression of the mammalian muscle fiber.

The ratio between intrinsic 115 kDa and 30 kDa peptides as a marker of fibre type-specific sarcoplasmic reticulum in mammalian muscles

Sarcoplasmic reticulum displays characteristic differences in Ca2+-uptake, Ca2+-ATPase and the pattern of membrane proteins in type I, IIA and IIB fibres. The ratio between the 115 kDa Ca2+-ATPase and a 30 kDa protein is of characteristic magnitude in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of the three fibre types in rat muscles. The slow-to-fast fibre type transformation observed in rabbits during chronic nerve stimulation is accompanied by predictable changes of this ratio.

Studies on sarcoplasmic reticulum from slow-twitch muscle

Vesicles were isolated from membranes of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rabbit slow-twitch muscle by differential and sucrose density gradient centrifugation after homogenization. In some experiments, the vesicles were further fractionated by loading them with calcium oxalate followed by centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient. Protein composition of the isolated vesicles was complex and differed from the protein composition of fast-twitch muscle vesicles. However, other protein components, which were also present in fast-twitch muscle SR vesicles, have been identified: Ca2 + -dependent ATPase, calsequestrin, 160 000 molecular weight glycoprotein and 53 000 molecular weight glycoprotein. The amount of the Ca2 + -dependent ATPase and calsequestrin was several times lower in the slow-twitch muscle SR vesicles. This has been observed in both the original and the loaded vesicles. The slow-twitch muscle SR vesicles showed active calcium transport, Ca2 + -dependent ATPase activity, and the formation of the phosphorylated intermediate under conditions similar to those established for fast-twitch muscle SR. However, these activities, when expressed per mg of total protein, were several times lower than the analogous activities in the SR vesicles isolated from fast-twitch skeletal muscle. When the same enzyme activities were expressed per mg of the 105 000 molecular weight ATPase, the values obtained were very similar in both kinds of vesicles. The results indicate that the slow rate of calcium transport, found in slow-twitch muscle SR vesicles, may be related to a low content of the calcium-transporting ATPase in the membrane.

Preparation of sarcoplasmic reticulum with high calcium-sensitive ATPase and stable calcium transport function from rat skeletal muscle

A method was developed for the isolation from rat skeletal muscle of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles in which the calcium transport function does not decay during storage. High initial and maximum uptake of calcium and calcium-dependent ATPase activity were obtained for membranes isolated from mixed muscles or pure red fibers. Unstable vesicles resulted when 2 mM EDTA was included in the isolation medium. The calcium uptake activity was lost upon ageing at 0 degrees C, probably due to conversion of the calcium-dependent ATPase to a calcium-independent form. Addition of Ca2+ counteracted the affects of EDTA, suggesting their involvement in maintaining the structure of the calcium transport system. This is supported by the fact that different structural states of the ATPase in stable and unstable vesicles were detected by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography.

Calcium transients in mammalian muscles

Contraction of vertebrate skeletal muscle is caused by calcium ions released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (see refs 1, 2 for reviews). The ensuing transient change in the intracellular level of ionised calcium has been monitored using various Ca2+ indicators, sich as murexide, aequorin, and arsenazo III. So far, most of what is known about these calcium transient derives from experiments on barnacle or frog muscles fibres, and it is desirable to extend such studies to mammalian muscle. We report here that the photoprotein aequorin can be used to monitor calcium transients in rat and human muscles, and that the transients decay more quickly in fast contracting muscle fibres.

Exercise and mitochondrial calcium transport in the BIO 14.6 hamster

To examine the effects of exhaustive swimming in normal and myopathic hamsters on muscle mitochondrial Ca2+ metabolism, sedentary normal and BIO 14.6 dystrophic Syrian hamsters swam individually in 35 degree C water until exhaustion occurred. Although the normal hamsters swam three times longer than did the BIO 14.6 hamsters, both swimming groups had a comparable two-fold increase in blood lactate. Contrary to exhaustive running, exhaustive swimming did not significantly affect mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in either cardiac or skeletal muscle, regardless of the disease state. However, in general, the coefficients of variation for mitochondrial Ca2+ metabolism increased as a function of exercise, with the BIO 14.6 swimmers more variable than the normal swimmers. This suggests that the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake process may be affected in some manner by exhaustive swimming, so that deviations from the norm are more apparent. The results provide further evidence that mitochondrial Ca2+ metabolism adapts to the specific type of exercise utilized to produce exhaustion.

ATPase activities, Ca2+ transport and phosphoprotein formation in sarcoplasmic reticulum subfractions of fast and slow rabbit muscles

Subfractionation of sarcoplasmic reticulum from fast-twitch and slow-twitch rabbit skeletal muscles was performed on a sucrose density gradient. Vesicle fractions were characterized by: measurement of (Ca2+,Mg2+)-dependent (extra) ATPase, Mg2+-dependent (basal) ATPase, Ca2+ uptake characteristics, polypeptide patterns in sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses, phosphoprotein formation and electronmicroscopy of negatively stained samples. In fast-twitch muscle, low and high density vesicles were separated. The latter showed high activity of (Ca2+,Mg2+)-dependent ATPase, negligible activity of Mg2+-dependent ATPase, high initial rate and high capacity of Ca2+ uptake, high amount of phosphorylated 115000-Mr polypeptide, and appeared morphologically as thin-walled vesicles covered with particles of 4 nm in diameter. Low density vesicles had little (Ca2+,Mg2+)-dependent ATPase but high Mg2+-dependent ATPase. Although the initial rate of Ca2+ uptake was markedly lower, the total capacity of uptake was comparable with that of high density vesicles. Phosphorylated 115000-Mr polypeptide was detectable at low concentrations. Instead, 57000 and 47000-Mr polypeptides were characterized as forming stable phosphoproteins in the presence of ATP and Mg2+. Negatively stained, these vesicles appeared to have smooth surfaces. It is suggested that low density vesicles represent a Ca2+ sequestering system different from that of high density vesicles and that Mg2+-dependent (basal) ATPase as well as the 57000 and 47000-Mr polypeptides are part of the Ca2+ transport system within the low density vesicles. According to the results from slow-twitch muscle, Ca2+ sequestration by the sarcoplasmic reticulum functions in this muscle type only through the low density vesicles.

Effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on impaired calcium transport by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in experimental uremia

In the fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum from skeletal muscle of rabbits with experimental uremia, defective calcium ion transport is found. An impairment of all parameters is observed (initial rate of uptake, storing capacity with and without oxalate, and concentrating ability). In vivo administration of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3)(2 X 27 ng X kg of body wt-1 X day-1 and 6 X 27 ng X kg-1 X day-1, respectively) improved the kinetic parameters. The low dose improved storing capacity, and the higher dose, in addition to the storing capacity, also corrected concentrating ability and the initial rate of uptake. It is concluded that active calcium transport in the sarcoplasmic reticulum is impaired by uremia and that this defect is responsive to the administration of 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D3.

Relative capabilities of sarcoplasmic reticulum in fast and slow mammalian skeletal muscles

1. The calcium uptake capabilities of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of the fat-twitch muscles extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and tibialis anterior (TA) of the rat and the extensor digitorum longus of the cat have been compared with the same capabilities of the slow-twitch soleus muscles of the rat and cat. 2. For the ra the Vmax values of sarcoplasmic reticulum from tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus and from soleus muscles were 50, 51, and 10 micronmole Ca2+/g per minute, respectively. 3. For the extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles of the cat the Vmax values were 34 and 5-6 micronmole Ca2+/g per minute, respectively. 4. These data were compared with mechanical data as reported in the literature for the same muscles. The relative calcium uptake capabilities of sarcoplasmic reticulum from slow and fast muscles corresponded closely to the relative rates of relaxation of these muscles.

A freeze-fracture study of sarcoplasmic reticulum from fast and slow muscle of the mouse

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow soleus (SOL) muscles of the mouse was examined by freeze-fracture techniques. A distinctive feature of sarcoplasmic reticulum from the EDL is the presence of hillocks on the A-face within the terminal cisterns. These hillocks are usually arranged in a single row which is deployed parallel to the long axis of the adjacent T-tubule. Center-to-center spacing of hillocks within a row is about 70-75 nm. Hillocks are also found scattered within the collar region. The EDL of ten week mice was characterized by sheet-like terminal and intermediate cisterns, the latter being replaced in 37 week animals by thin tubular longitudinal elements of the SR which contain no hillocks or dimples. Hillocks occur only occasionally in SR from 10 or 20 week SOL muscle. In such cases the hillocks occur singly rather than in rows as in the terminal cisterns of EDL. The predominant form of SR in the SOL contains no hillocks. Total particles in the A-face of EDL-SR (2996 particles/mu2; S.D. = +/- 287) slightly exceeded that of SOL-SR (2558 particles/mu2; S.D. = 274 8 NM). Packing density of 8 nm particles was slightly higher for EDL (750/mu2) VS. SOL (700/mu2). The possible significance of these features of SR in fast and slow muscle is discussed.

Early biochemical consequences of denervation in fast and slow skeletal muscles and their relationship to neural control over muscle differentiation

1. One week after denervation several biochemical characteristics of the fast extensor digitorum longus and slow soleus muscles from adult rats were investigated and compared with the characteristics of the corresponding unoperated contralateral muscles. 2. After these short periods of denervation-induced atrophy, the isolated myosins showed unchanged ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) activities, but there was the expected difference between fast and slow muscle. 3. The specific activities of several soluble enzymes and their characteristic patterns were found to be only slightly modified in both the extensor and soleus muscles after denervation, as were most of the activities measured in the isolated mitochondria. 4. The most significant modifications were in the isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum, and appeared to be specific to either slow or fast muscle. 5. Denervation of slow muscle led to a marked increase of Ca(2+)-transport rates, and of the specific activity of the Mg(2+)-activated K(+)-modulated Ca(2+)-stimulated ATPase, together with changes in the polyacrylamide-electrophoretic profiles of the microsomal membrane protein. Transformation of these several properties of slow muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum to those of fast muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum was further substantiated by electron-microscopic analysis after negative staining. Control experiments with tenotomized soleus muscle gave negative results. 6. The isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum from fast muscle showed a slight diminution of ATPase-linked Ca(2+)-transport activity and a selective increase of rotenone-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity, in addition to a greater emphasis on slow-type electrophoretic components of the structural membrane protein. 7. The significance of these results in relation to specific differentiating influences from motor nerves is discussed.

Properties of the fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum from fast twitch and slow twitch muscles

Skeletal muscle of guinea pigs is composed of at least three types of fibers which are distinguishable by their kinetic and histochemical properties. Fast twitch muscles may be histochemically red or white; fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (FSR) prepared from both types of fast twitch muscles has identical calcium-accumulating capacity (maximal calcium uptake) and calcium-concentrating ability. FSR from slow twitch muscles accumulates less total calcium, but the calcium-concentrating ability is equal to that of fast twitch muscles. The slower rate of calcium accumulation by FSR of slow twitch muscles correlates with a prolonged relaxation time.

The modification of some biochemical properties of muscle by cross-innervation

Crossing of the nerves leading to muscles with different contraction characteristics leads to biochemical changes related to the modification of the functional properties. Such changes affect the calcium-transporting activity of isolated sarcotubular vesicles, and the amount and isozyme composition of lactic dehydrogenase.

Calcium transport by skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum in the hypothyroid rat

The rate of calcium transport by isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum from rat skeletal muscle increases markedly during the first 4 wk of life and thereafter remains relatively constant. When animals are made hypothyroid during the first 3 wk of life, there is a marked inhibition of the increase in calcium transport by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Production of hypothyroidism after 4 wk of age, at which time the calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum has reached maximum levels, results in a depression in the rate of calcium transport. There is no clear alteration in ATPase activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to account for the low calcium transport in hypothyroidism. It is proposed that the decrease in calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum may account for observed alterations in the intrinsic contractile properties of muscle in the hypothyroid animal.

ATPase activity of myosin correlated with speed of muscle shortening

Myosin was isolated from 14 different muscles (mammals, lower vertebrates, and invertebrates) of known maximal speed of shortening. These myosin preparations were homogeneous in the analytical ultracentrifuge or, in a few cases, showed, in addition to the main myosin peak, part of the myosin in aggregated form. Actin- and Ca(++)-activated ATPase activities of the myosins were generally proportional to the speed of shortening of their respective muscles; i.e. the greater the intrinsic speed, the higher the ATPase activity. This relation was found when the speed of shortening ranged from 0.1 to 24 muscle lengths/sec. The temperature coefficient of the Ca(++)-activated myosin ATPase was the same as that of the speed of shortening, Q(10) about 2. Higher Q(10) values were found for the actin-activated myosin ATPase, especially below 10 degrees C. By using myofibrils instead of reconstituted actomyosin, Q(10) values close to 2 could be obtained for the Mg(++)-activated myofibrillar ATPase at ionic strength of 0.014. In another series of experiments, myosin was isolated from 11 different muscles of known isometric twitch contraction time. The ATPase activity of these myosins was inversely proportional to the contraction time of the muscles. These results suggest a role for the ATPase activity of myosin in determining the speed of muscle contraction. In contrast to the ATPase activity of myosin, which varied according to the speed of contraction, the F-actin-binding ability of myosin from various muscles was rather constant.

The respiration of the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis (ABRM) after a phasic contraction

1. The oxygen consumption of isolated anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus edulis (ABRM) has been measured at rest and after phasic contractions induced by a.c. stimulation.2. The respiration was measured with a Clark oxygen electrode in successive periods of 5 or 15 min, at 20 degrees C.3. The resting respiration is 71.8 +/- 2.4 n-moles O(2)/g wet weight.min (mean +/- S.E., n = 70). It is increased by a release and decreased by a passive stretch.4. After phasic stimulation of up to 30 sec the respiration is increased and returns to a slightly higher level than the resting level in an exponential fashion with a time constant of about 10 min.5. The duration of stimulation does not change the time course of the excess respiration but it affects its magnitude. The amount of extra oxygen consumed, in n-moles O(2)/g, is made up of a constant amount, 449 +/- 102, and an amount that depends on the duration of stimulation (t, sec), which is given by t x 13.2 +/- 4.3. When due account is taken for the tension developed, these parameters become 83.1 +/- 20.7 and t x 1.24 +/- 0.66 n-moles O(2)/g muscle and kg/cm(2) of tension. This regression analysis is based on forty-eight data, with a residual error based on 5 degrees of freedom.6. Release of the tension after the last stimulus of a 30 sec tetanus reduces by half the extra oxygen consumed during the recovery whereas the same release applied 5 min later has a much smaller effect. This suggests that relaxation is an active process.7. From these measurements of the recovery metabolism the energy cost of the contraction was estimated and compared with this cost in vertebrate striated muscle. The constant item has about the same magnitude, but the item related to the duration of stimulation is about 250 times smaller.