Desmin at myotendinous junctions

Functional specialisation and coordination of myonuclei

Myofibres serve as the functional unit for locomotion, with the sarcomere as fundamental subunit. Running the entire length of this structure are hundreds of myonuclei, located at the periphery of the myofibre, juxtaposed to the plasma membrane. Myonuclear specialisation and clustering at the centre and ends of the fibre are known to be essential for muscle contraction, yet the molecular basis of this regionalisation has remained unclear. While the 'myonuclear domain hypothesis' helped explain how myonuclei can independently govern large cytoplasmic territories, novel technologies have provided granularity on the diverse transcriptional programs running simultaneously within the syncytia and added a new perspective on how myonuclei communicate. Building upon this, we explore the critical cellular and molecular sources of transcriptional and functional heterogeneity within myofibres, discussing the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on myonuclear programs. This knowledge provides new insights for understanding muscle development, repair, and disease, but also opens avenues for the development of novel and precise therapeutic approaches.

Traumatic muscle injury

Traumatic muscle injury represents a collection of skeletal muscle pathologies caused by trauma to the muscle tissue and is defined as damage to the muscle tissue that can result in a functional deficit. Traumatic muscle injury can affect people across the lifespan and can result from high stresses and strains to skeletal muscle tissue, often due to muscle activation while the muscle is lengthening, resulting in indirect and non-contact muscle injuries (strains or ruptures), or from external impact, resulting in direct muscle injuries (contusion or laceration). At a microscopic level, muscle fibres can repair focal damage but must be completely regenerated after full myofibre necrosis. The diagnosis of muscle injury is based on patient history and physical examination. Imaging may be indicated to eliminate differential diagnoses. The management of muscle injury has changed within the past 5 years from initial rest, immobilization and (over)protection to early activation and progressive loading using an active approach. One challenge of muscle injury management is that numerous medical treatment options, such as medications and injections, are often used or proposed to try to accelerate muscle recovery despite very limited efficacy evidence. Another challenge is the prevention of muscle injury owing to the multifactorial and complex nature of this injury.

Distally-extending muscle fibers across involved joints: study of long muscles and tendons of wrist and ankle in late-term fetuses and adult cadavers

It is unclear whether forearm and crural muscle fibers extend distally across the wrist and ankle joints, respectively. We hypothesized, in late-term fetuses, an over-production of muscle bellies extending over the joint. Muscle fibers in histological sections from unilateral wrists and ankles of 16 late-term fetuses (30-40 weeks) were examined and compared with 15 adult cadavers. Muscle fibers of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) in fetuses, especially muscle bellies to the third and fourth fingers, were found to extend far distally beyond the radiocarpal joint. The extensor digitorum and extensor pollicis longus on the extensor side of the wrist were found to carry distally-extending muscle fibers, but these fibers did not extend beyond the distal end of the radius. In the ankle, most muscle bundles in the flexor hallucis longus (FHL), fibularis brevis (FB) and extensor digitorum longus extended distally beyond the talocrural joint, with most FB muscle fibers reaching the level of the talocalcaneal joint. In adult cadavers, muscle fibers of the FDP and FHL did not reach the levels of the radiocarpal and talocrural joints, respectively, whereas the FB muscle belly always reached the talocalcaneal joint. Similarly, some of the FDS reached the level of the radiocarpal joint. Generally, infants' movements at the wrist and ankle could result in friction injury to over-extended muscle. However, the calcaneal and FDP tendons might protect the FB and FDS tendons, respectively, from friction stress.

The proteomic profile of the human myotendinous junction

Proteomics analysis of skeletal muscle has recently progressed from whole muscle tissue to single myofibers. Here, we further focus on a specific myofiber domain crucial for force transmission from muscle to tendon, the myotendinous junction (MTJ). To overcome the anatomical constraints preventing the isolation of pure MTJs, we performed in-depth analysis of the MTJ by progressive removal of the muscle component in semitendinosus muscle-tendon samples. Using detergents with increasing stringency, we quantified >3000 proteins across all samples, and identified 112 significantly enriched MTJ proteins, including 24 known MTJ-enriched proteins. Of the 88 novel MTJ markers, immunofluorescence analysis confirmed the presence of tetraspanin-24 (CD151), kindlin-2 (FERMT2), cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 (CILP), and integrin-alpha10 (ITGA10), at the human MTJ. Together, these human data constitute the first detailed MTJ proteomics resource that will contribute to advance understanding of the biology of the MTJ and its failure in pathological conditions.

RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence of the myotendinous junction of mature horses and humans

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a specialized interface for transmitting high forces between the muscle and tendon and yet the MTJ is a common site of strain injury with a high recurrence rate. The aim of this study was to identify previously unknown MTJ components in mature animals and humans. Samples were obtained from the superficial digital flexor (SDF) muscle-tendon interface of 20 horses, and the tissue was separated through a sequential cryosectioning approach into muscle, MTJ (muscle tissue enriched in myofiber tips attached to the tendon), and tendon fractions. RT-PCR was performed for genes known to be expressed in the three tissue fractions and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) plots were used to select the muscle, MTJ, and tendon samples from five horses for RNA sequencing. The expression of previously known and unknown genes identified through RNA sequencing was studied by immunofluorescence on human hamstring MTJ tissue. The main finding was that RNA sequencing identified the expression of a panel of 61 genes enriched at the MTJ. Of these, 48 genes were novel for the MTJ and 13 genes had been reported to be associated with the MTJ in earlier studies. The expression of known [COL22A1 (collagen XXII), NCAM (neural cell adhesion molecule), POSTN (periostin), NES (nestin), OSTN (musclin/osteocrin)] and previously undescribed [MNS1 (meiosis-specific nuclear structural protein 1), and LCT (lactase)] MTJ genes was confirmed at the protein level by immunofluorescence on tissue sections of human MTJ. In conclusion, in muscle-tendon interface tissue enriched with myofiber tips, we identified the expression of previously unknown MTJ genes representing diverse biological processes, which may be important in the maintenance of the specialized MTJ.

In the human, true myocutaneous junctions of skeletal muscle fibers are limited to the face

Within the panniculus carnosus‐associated skeletal muscles in the human, the palmaris brevis and the platysma showed myotendinous/myofascial junctions with clear distance to the corium and the specific connection collagen type XXII. The orbicularis oris muscle, in contrast, contained bundles of striated muscle fibers reaching the corium at two distinct levels: the predominant inner ending was connected to the elastic network of the inner corium and the outer ending was within the more superficial collagen network. At both locations, the striated muscle fibers showed brush‐like cytoplasmic protrusions connecting a network which was not oriented toward the muscle fibers. Collagen type XXII was not present.

Cytoskeletal Proteins in Myotendinous Junctions of Human Extraocular Muscles

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytoskeletal composition of myotendinous junctions (MTJs) in the human extraocular muscles (EOMs). Desmin and other major cytoskeletal proteins are enriched at the MTJs of ordinary myofibers, where they are proposed to be of particular importance for force transmission and required to maintain myofiber integrity.

Methods

EOM and limb muscle samples were analyzed with immunohistochemistry using antibodies against the intermediate filament proteins desmin, nestin, keratin 19, vimentin, and different myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms. MTJs were identified by labeling with antibodies against laminin or tenascin.

Results

In contrast to MTJs in lumbrical muscle where desmin, nestin, and keratin 19 were always present, approximately one-third of the MTJs in the EOMs lacked either desmin and/or nestin, and all MTJs lacked keratin 19. Approximately 6% of the MTJs in the EOMs lacked all of these key cytoskeletal proteins.

Conclusions

The cytoskeletal protein composition of MTJs in human EOMs differed significantly from that of MTJs in limb muscles. These differences in cytoskeletal protein composition may indicate particular adaptation to meet the functional requirements of the EOMs.

Proteomic analysis of laser capture microscopy purified myotendinous junction regions from muscle sections

The myotendinous junction is a specialized structure of the muscle fibre enriched in mechanosensing complexes, including costameric proteins and core elements of the z-disc. Here, laser capture microdissection was applied to purify membrane regions from the myotendinous junctions of mouse skeletal muscles, which were then processed for proteomic analysis. Sarcolemma sections from the longitudinal axis of the muscle fibre were used as control for the specificity of the junctional preparation. Gene ontology term analysis of the combined lists indicated a statistically significant enrichment in membrane-associated proteins. The myotendinous junction preparation contained previously uncharacterized proteins, a number of z-disc costameric ligands (e.g., actinins, capZ, αB cristallin, filamin C, cypher, calsarcin, desmin, FHL1, telethonin, nebulin, titin and an enigma-like protein) and other proposed players of sarcomeric stretch sensing and signalling, such as myotilin and the three myomesin homologs. A subset were confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis as enriched at the myotendinous junction, suggesting that laser capture microdissection from muscle sections is a valid approach to identify novel myotendinous junction players potentially involved in mechanotransduction pathways.

The urethral rhabdosphincter, levator ani muscle, and perineal membrane: a review

Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the rhabdosphincter and adjacent tissues is mandatory during urologic surgery to ensure reliable oncologic and functional outcomes. To characterize the levator ani (LA) function for the urethral sphincter, we described connective tissue morphology between the LA and urethral rhabdosphincter. The interface tissue between the LA and rhabdosphincter area in males contained abundant irregularly arrayed elastic fibers and smooth muscles. The male rhabdosphincter was positioned alongside the LA to divide the elevation force and not in-series along the axis of LA contraction. The male perineal membrane was thin but solid and extends along the inferior margin or bottom of the rhabdosphincter area. In contrast, the female rhabdosphincter, including the compressor urethrae and urethrovaginal sphincter muscles, was embedded in the elastic fiber mesh that is continuous with the thick, multilaminar perineal membrane. The inferomedial edge of the female LA was attached to the upper surface of the perineal membrane and not directly attached to the rhabdosphincter. We presented new diagrams showing the gender differences in topographical anatomy of the LA and rhabdosphincter.

Mechanisms of muscle injury, repair, and regeneration

Skeletal muscle continuously adapts to changes in its mechanical environment through modifications in gene expression and protein stability that affect its physiological function and mass. However, mechanical stresses commonly exceed the parameters that induce adaptations, producing instead acute injury. Furthermore, the relatively superficial location of many muscles in the body leaves them further vulnerable to acute injuries by exposure to extreme temperatures, contusions, lacerations or toxins. In this article, the molecular, cellular, and mechanical factors that underlie muscle injury and the capacity of muscle to repair and regenerate are presented. Evidence shows that muscle injuries that are caused by eccentric contractions result from direct mechanical damage to myofibrils. However, muscle pathology following other acute injuries is largely attributable to damage to the muscle cell membrane. Many feaures in the injury-repair-regeneration cascade relate to the unregulated influx of calcium through membrane lesions, including: (i) activation of proteases and hydrolases that contribute muscle damage, (ii) activation of enzymes that drive the production of mitogens and motogens for muscle and immune cells involved in injury and repair, and (iii) enabling protein-protein interactions that promote membrane repair. Evidence is also presented to show that the myogenic program that is activated by acute muscle injury and the inflammatory process that follows are highly coordinated, with myeloid cells playing a central role in modulating repair and regeneration. The early-invading, proinflammatory M1 macrophages remove debris caused by injury and express Th1 cytokines that play key roles in regulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of satellite cells. The subsequent invasion by anti-inflammatory, M2 macrophages promotes tissue repair and attenuates inflammation. Although this system provides an effective mechanism for muscle repair and regeneration following acute injury, it is dysregulated in chronic injuries. In this article, the process of muscle injury, repair and regeneration that occurs in muscular dystrophy is used as an example of chronic muscle injury, to highlight similarities and differences between the injury and repair processes that occur in acutely and chronically injured muscle.

Knockdown of desmin in zebrafish larvae affects interfilament spacing and mechanical properties of skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle was examined in zebrafish larvae in order to address questions related to the function of the intermediate filament protein desmin and its role in the pathogenesis of human desminopathy. A novel approach including mechanical and structural studies of 4–6-d-old larvae was applied. Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides were used to knock down desmin. Expression was assessed using messenger RNA and protein analyses. Histology and synchrotron light–based small angle x-ray diffraction were applied. Functional properties were analyzed with in vivo studies of swimming behavior and with in vitro mechanical examinations of muscle. The two desmin genes normally expressed in zebrafish could be knocked down by ∼50%. This resulted in a phenotype with disorganized muscles with altered attachments to the myosepta. The knockdown larvae were smaller and had diminished swimming activity. Active tension was lowered and muscles were less vulnerable to acute stretch-induced injury. X-ray diffraction revealed wider interfilament spacing. In conclusion, desmin intermediate filaments are required for normal active force generation and affect vulnerability during eccentric work. This is related to the role of desmin in anchoring sarcomeres for optimal force transmission. The results also show that a partial lack of desmin, without protein aggregates, is sufficient to cause muscle pathology resembling that in human desminopathy.

Kif5b controls the localization of myofibril components for their assembly and linkage to the myotendinous junctions

Controlled delivery of myofibril components to the appropriate sites of assembly is crucial for myofibrillogenesis. Here, we show that kinesin-1 heavy chain Kif5b plays important roles in anterograde transport of α-sarcomeric actin, non-muscle myosin IIB, together with intermediate filament proteins desmin and nestin to the growing tips of the elongating myotubes. Mice with Kif5b conditionally knocked out in myogenic cells showed aggregation of actin filaments and intermediate filament proteins in the differentiating skeletal muscle cells, which further affected myofibril assembly and their linkage to the myotendinous junctions. The expression of Kif5b in mutant myotubes rescued the localization of the affected proteins. Functional mapping of Kif5b revealed a 64-amino acid α-helix domain in the tail region, which directly interacted with desmin and might be responsible for the transportation of these proteins in a complex.

Desminopathies: pathology and mechanisms

The intermediate filament protein desmin is an essential component of the extra-sarcomeric cytoskeleton in muscle cells. This three-dimensional filamentous framework exerts central roles in the structural and functional alignment and anchorage of myofibrils, the positioning of cell organelles and signaling events. Mutations of the human desmin gene on chromosome 2q35 cause autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and sporadic myopathies and/or cardiomyopathies with marked phenotypic variability. The disease onset ranges from childhood to late adulthood. The clinical course is progressive and no specific treatment is currently available for this severely disabling disease. The muscle pathology is characterized by desmin-positive protein aggregates and degenerative changes of the myofibrillar apparatus. The molecular pathophysiology of desminopathies is a complex, multilevel issue. In addition to direct effects on the formation and maintenance of the extra-sarcomeric intermediate filament network, mutant desmin affects essential protein interactions, cell signaling cascades, mitochondrial functions, and protein quality control mechanisms. This review summarizes the currently available data on the epidemiology, clinical phenotypes, myopathology, and genetics of desminopathies. In addition, this work provides an overview on the expression, filament formation processes, biomechanical properties, post-translational modifications, interaction partners, subcellular localization, and functions of wild-type and mutant desmin as well as desmin-related cell and animal models.

Systems biology of skeletal muscle: fiber type as an organizing principle

Skeletal muscle force generation and contraction are fundamental to countless aspects of human life. The complexity of skeletal muscle physiology is simplified by fiber type classification where differences are observed from neuromuscular transmission to release of intracellular Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the resulting recruitment and cycling of cross-bridges. This review uses fiber type classification as an organizing and simplifying principle to explore the complex interactions between the major proteins involved in muscle force generation and contraction.

[Desmin filaments and their disorganization associated with myofibrillar myopathies]

Desmin, the muscle-specific intermediate filament protein, is one of the earliest markers expressed in all muscle tissues during development. It forms a three-dimensional scaffold around the myofibril Z-disc and connects the entire contractile apparatus to the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton, the nuclei and other cytoplasmic organelles. Desmin is essential for tensile strength and muscle integrity. In humans, disorganization of the desmin network is associated with cardiac and/or skeletal myopathies characterized by accumulation of desmin-containing aggregates in the cells. Currently, 49 mutations have been identified in desmin gene. The majority of these mutations alter desmin filament assembly process through different molecular mechanisms and also its interaction with its protein partners. Here, we will give an overview of desmin network organization as well as the impact of desmin mutations on this process. Furthermore, we will discuss the different molecular mechanisms implicated in perturbation of the desmin filament assembly process.

Immunohistochemical distribution of desmin in the human fetal heart

Desmin is a member of the intermediate filaments, which play crucial roles in the maturation, maintenance and recovery of muscle fibers. Its expression has been examined in human cardiac muscle, rat and chicken, but its spatial distribution in the human fetal heart has not been described. The present study investigated desmin expression in the human fetal heart and associated great vessels in 14 mid-term fetuses from 9 to 18 weeks of gestation. Immunoreactivity for myosin heavy chain (MHC) and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), as well as neuron-specific enolase (NSE), was also examined. Increased expression of desmin from 9 to 18 weeks was clearly localized in the atrial wall, the proximal portions of the pulmonary vein and vena cava, and around the atrioventricular node. Desmin-positive structures were also positive for MHC. Meanwhile, the great vessels were also positive for α-SMA. The distribution of desmin exhibited a pattern quite different from that described in previous studies of rat and chicken. Thus, desmin in the human fetal heart does not seem to play a general role in myocardial differentiation but rather a specific role closely related to the maturation of the α-isozyme of MHC. Desmin expression in the developing fetal heart also appeared to be induced by mechanical stress due to the involvement of venous walls against the atrium.

Early fetal development of the intermediate tendon of the human digastricus and omohyoideus muscles: a critical difference in histogenesis

The digastricus and omohyoideus muscles are known to carry two muscle bellies connected by an intermediate tendon. However, according to our histological observations of 22 fetuses (7-20 weeks of gestation), the mode of formation of the intermediate tendon was critically different between these two muscles. At 7-9 weeks, the posterior belly of the digastricus carried a definite intramuscular tendon continuous with a long descending tendon. The stylohyoideus, external carotid artery and hypoglossal nerve appeared to impede attachment of the tendon to the Reichert or hyoid cartilage. The digastricus anterior belly did not contain any intramuscular tendon, but desmin-positive muscle fibers consistently surrounded a bulb-like mesenchymal condensation at the caudal free end of the digastricus posterior tendon. Thus, most parts of the digastricus tendon were apparently derived from the posterior belly. In contrast, the omohyoideus always possessed a single long muscle belly until 15 weeks. The intermediate tendon first appeared at 15 weeks as a short plate-like connective structure along the medial margin of the muscle. Vimentin immunoreactivity suggested the presence of mechanical stress along the plate-like tissue, possibly due to bending of the long muscle. Muscle fibers were replaced by collagen fibers to form an intermediate tendon by 20 weeks.

Expression of intermediate filaments at muscle insertions in human fetuses

Desmin and vimentin are intermediate filaments that play crucial roles in the maturation, maintenance and recovery of muscle fibers and mesenchymal cells. The expression of these proteins has not been investigated extensively in human fetuses. In the present study, we examined the immunohistochemical expression of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscles of the head, neck and thorax in 12 mid-term human fetuses at 9-18 weeks of gestation. We also used immunohistochemistry to localize the expression of the myosin heavy chain and silver impregnation to identify the fetal endomysium. Expression of desmin and vimentin was already detectable in intercostal muscle at 9 weeks, especially at sites of muscle attachment to the perichondrium. At this stage, myosin heavy chain was expressed throughout the muscle fibers and the endomysium had already developed. Beginning with punctate expression, the positive areas became diffusely distributed in the muscle fibers. At 15-18 weeks, intermediate filament proteins were extensively expressed in all of the muscles examined. Expression at the bone-muscle interface was continuous with expression along the intramuscular tendon fibres. These results suggest that the development of intermediate filaments begins in areas of mechanical stress due to early muscle contraction. Their initially punctate distribution, as observed here, probably corresponds to the earliest stage of fetal enthesis formation.

Structural protein alterations to resistance and endurance cycling exercise training

The muscle cytoskeleton is necessary for the effective transmission of forces generated by actin-myosin interactions. We have examined the impact of muscle force and exercise volume on the cytoskeleton by measuring desmin and dystrophin content in human skeletal muscle after 12 weeks of progressive resistance or endurance cycle training. Muscle biopsies of the vastus lateralis were obtained before and after training. Desmin and dystrophin content was determined using immunoblotting techniques. After resistance training, desmin content increased 82 +/- 18% (p < 0.05), whereas there was no change in desmin content with endurance cycling. Dystrophin content did not change in either group. One-repetition maximum and VO2max increased (p < 0.05) in the resistance and endurance groups, respectively. These data demonstrate that a high-tension stimulus impacts the cytoskeleton in contrast to high-volume concentric contractions. The tensile loading and eccentric components of resistance training are implicated in desmin alterations. Indeed, the functional improvements resulting from resistance training may be related in part to the mechanical integration provided by the desmin protein.

New aspects of obscurin in human striated muscles

Obscurin is a giant protein (700-800 kDa) present in both skeletal muscles and myocardium. According to animal studies, obscurin interacts with myofibrillar Z-discs during early muscle development, but is translocalised to be predominantly associated with the M-bands in mature muscles. The proposed function for obscurin is in the assembly and organisation of myosin into regular A-bands during formation of new sarcomeres. In the present study, the precise localisation of obscurin in developing and mature normal human striated muscle is presented for the first time. We show that obscurin surrounded myofibrils at the M-band level in both developing and mature human skeletal and heart muscles, which is partly at variance with that observed in animals. At maturity, obscurin also formed links between the peripheral myofibrils and the sarcolemma, and was a distinct component of the neuromuscular junctions. Obscurin should therefore be regarded as an additional component of the extrasarcomeric cytoskeleton. To test this function of obscurin, biopsies from subjects with exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were examined. In these subjects, myofibrillar alterations related to sarcomerogenesis are observed. Our immunohistochemical analysis revealed that obscurin was never lacking in myofibrillar alterations, but was either preserved at the M-band level or diffusely spread over the sarcomeres. As myosin was absent in such areas but later reincorporated in the newly formed sarcomeres, our results support that obscurin also might play an important role in the formation and maintenance of A-bands.

Desminopathies in muscle disease

A recently identified class of myopathies is produced by abnormal desmin, and is characterized by a disorganization of the desmin filament network, the accumulation of insoluble desmin-containing aggregates, and destructive changes in the sarcomeric organization of striated muscles. The desmin filaments interact with various other cytoskeletal proteins. The distinct clinical phenotypes are heterogeneous, with progressive skeletal myopathy, cardiomyopathy, and respiratory insufficiency as the most prominent features. Most of the desmin mutations are autosomal dominant. Identification of the causal genetic mutations shows that the desmin gene is not the only gene implicated in desminopathies; other genes encoding desmin-associated proteins, such as alpha-B-crystallin, and synemin may also be involved. Patients with mutations in their alpha-B-crystallin gene, which produce similar skeletal and cardiac myopathies, also have opaque lenses. Knockout mice have helped to reveal the fundamental role of desmin filaments in cell architecture, sarcomere alignment, myofibril organization, and the distribution of mitochondria. Transgenic mice, which accumulate aggregates of desmin and associated proteins in their muscles, show that the loss of desmin intermediate function as a result of mutations in desmin itself, or in the desmin-associated constituents, is important for disease progression.

Desmin: molecular interactions and putative functions of the muscle intermediate filament protein

Desmin is the intermediate filament (IF) protein occurring exclusively in muscle and endothelial cells. There are other IF proteins in muscle such as nestin, peripherin, and vimentin, besides the ubiquitous lamins, but they are not unique to muscle. Desmin was purified in 1977, the desmin gene was characterized in 1989, and knock-out animals were generated in 1996. Several isoforms have been described. Desmin IFs are present throughout smooth, cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, but can be more concentrated in some particular structures, such as dense bodies, around the nuclei, around the Z-line or in costameres. Desmin is up-regulated in muscle-derived cellular adaptations, including conductive fibers in the heart, electric organs, some myopathies, and experimental treatments with drugs that induce muscle degeneration, like phorbol esters. Many molecules have been reported to associate with desmin, such as other IF proteins (including members of the membrane dystroglycan complex), nebulin, the actin and tubulin binding protein plectin, the molecular motor dynein, the gene regulatory protein MyoD, DNA, the chaperone alphaB-crystallin, and proteases such as calpain and caspase. Desmin has an important medical role, since it is used as a marker of tumors' origin. More recently, several myopathies have been described, with accumulation of desmin deposits. Yet, after almost 30 years since its identification, the function of desmin is still unclear. Suggested functions include myofibrillogenesis, mechanical support for the muscle, mitochondrial localization, gene expression regulation, and intracellular signaling. This review focuses on the biochemical interactions of desmin, with a discussion of its putative functions.

Desmin filaments influence myofilament spacing and lateral compliance of slow skeletal muscle fibers

Intermediate filaments composed of desmin interlink Z-disks and sarcolemma in skeletal muscle. Depletion of desmin results in lower active stress of smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscles. Structural functions of intermediate filaments in fast (psoas) and slow (soleus) skeletal muscle were examined using x-ray diffraction on permeabilized muscle from desmin-deficient mice (Des-/-) and controls (Des+/+). To examine lateral compliance of sarcomeres and cells, filament distances and fiber width were measured during osmotic compression with dextran. Equatorial spacing (x-ray diffraction) of contractile filaments was wider in soleus Des-/- muscle compared to Des+/+, showing that desmin is important for maintaining lattice structure. Osmotic lattice compression was similar in Des-/- and Des+/+. In width measurements of single fibers and bundles, Des-/- soleus were more compressed by dextran compared to Des+/+, showing that intermediate filaments contribute to whole-cell compliance. For psoas fibers, both filament distance and cell compliance were similar in Des-/- and Des+/+. We conclude that desmin is important for stabilizing sarcomeres and maintaining cell compliance in slow skeletal muscle. Wider filament spacing in Des-/- soleus cannot, however, explain the lower active stress, but might influence resistance to stretch, possibly minimizing stretch-induced cell injury.

The mouse synemin gene encodes three intermediate filament proteins generated by alternative exon usage and different open reading frames

We have previously cloned and characterized the human synemin gene, which encodes two intermediate filament proteins (IFPs). We now show that the mouse synemin gene encodes three different synemin isoforms through an alternative splicing mechanism. Two of them, synemin H and M are similar to human alpha and beta synemin, and the third isoform, L synemin, constitutes a new form of IFP. It has a typical rod domain and a short tail (49 residues) with a novel sequence that is produced by a different open reading frame. The synthesis of H/M synemins starts in the embryo, whereas the synemin L isoform is present in adult muscles. The H/M isoforms are bound to desmin or vimentin in the muscle cells of wild-type mice. Using desmin- and vimentin-deficient mice, we have obtained direct evidence that synemin is associated with muscle intermediate filaments in vivo. The organization of the synemin fibril is disrupted in skeletal and cardiac muscle when desmin is absent and in smooth muscle when vimentin is absent. The fact that the three synemin isoforms differ in the sequences of their tail domains as well as in their developmental patterns suggests that they fulfill different functions.

Lower active force generation and improved fatigue resistance in skeletal muscle from desmin deficient mice

The mechanical effects of the intermediate filament protein desmin was examined in desmin deficient mice (Des-/-) and their wild type control (Des+/+). Active force generation was determined in intact soleus muscles and in skinned single fibres from soleus and psoas. A decreased force generation of skinned muscle fibres from Des-/- mice and a tendency towards decreased active force in intact soleus muscle were detected. Concentrations of the contractile protein actin and myosin were not altered in Des-/- muscles. Ca(2+)-sensitivity of skinned single fibres in Des-/- muscles was unchanged compared to Des+/+. Using a protocol with repeated short tetani an increased fatigue resistance was found in the intact soleus muscles from Des-/- mice. In conclusion, desmin intermediate filaments are required for optimal generation or transmission of active force in skeletal muscle. Although other studies have shown that the desmin intermediate filaments appear to influence Ca(2+)-handling, the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the contractile filaments is not altered in skeletal muscle of Des-/- mice. Previous studies have reported a switch towards slower myosin isoforms in slow skeletal muscle of Des-/- mice. The increased fatigue resistance show that this change is reflected in the physiological function of the muscle.

Functional complexity of intermediate filament cytoskeletons: from structure to assembly to gene ablation

The cell biology of intermediate filament (IF) proteins and their filaments is complicated by the fact that the members of the gene family, which in humans amount to at least 65, are differentially expressed in very complex patterns during embryonic development. Thus, different tissues and cells express entirely different sets and amounts of IF proteins, the only exception being the nuclear B-type lamins, which are found in every cell. Moreover, in the course of evolution the individual members of this family have, within one species, diverged so much from each other with regard to sequence and thus molecular properties that it is hard to envision a unifying kind of function for them. The known epidermolytic diseases, caused by single point mutations in keratins, have been used as an argument for a role of IFs in mechanical "stress resistance," something one would not have easily ascribed to the beaded chain filaments, a special type of IF in the eye lens, or to nuclear lamins. Therefore, the power of plastic dish cell biology may be limited in revealing functional clues for these structural elements, and it may therefore be of interest to go to the extreme ends of the life sciences, i.e., from the molecular properties of individual molecules including their structure at the atomic level to targeted inactivation of their genes in living animals, mouse, and worm to define their role more precisely in metazoan cell physiology.

Archvillin, a muscle-specific isoform of supervillin, is an early expressed component of the costameric membrane skeleton

The membrane skeleton protein supervillin binds tightly to both F-actin and membranes and can potentiate androgen receptor activity in non-muscle cells. We report that muscle, which constitutes the principal tissue source for supervillin sequences, contains a approximately 250 kDa isoform of supervillin that localizes within nuclei and with dystrophin at costameres, regions of F-actin membrane attachment in skeletal muscle. The gene encoding this protein, 'archvillin' (Latin, archi; Greek, árchos; 'principal' or 'chief'), contains an evolutionarily conserved, muscle-specific 5' leader sequence. Archvillin cDNAs also contain four exons that encode approximately 47 kDa of additional muscle-specific protein sequence in the form of two inserts within the function-rich N-terminus of supervillin. The first of these muscle-specific inserts contains two conserved nuclear targeting signals in addition to those found in sequences shared with supervillin. Archvillin, like supervillin, binds directly to radiolabeled F-actin and co-fractionates with plasma membranes. Colocalization of archvillin with membrane-associated actin filaments, non-muscle myosin II, and--to a lesser extent--vinculin was observed in myoblasts. Striking localizations of archvillin protein and mRNA were observed at the tips of differentiating myotubes. Transfected protein chimeras containing archvillin insert sequences inhibited myotube formation, consistent with a dominant-negative effect during early myogenesis. These data suggest that archvillin is among the first costameric proteins to assemble during myogenesis and that it contributes to myogenic membrane structure and differentiation.

Beta1 integrins regulate myoblast fusion and sarcomere assembly

The mechanisms that regulate the formation of multinucleated muscle fibers from mononucleated myoblasts are not well understood. We show here that extracellular matrix (ECM) receptors of the beta1 integrin family regulate myoblast fusion. beta1-deficient myoblasts adhere to each other, but plasma membrane breakdown is defective. The integrin-associated tetraspanin CD9 that regulates cell fusion is no longer expressed at the cell surface of beta1-deficient myoblasts, suggesting that beta1 integrins regulate the formation of a protein complex important for fusion. Subsequent to fusion, beta1 integrins are required for the assembly of sarcomeres. Other ECM receptors such as the dystrophin glycoprotein complex are still expressed but cannot compensate for the loss of beta1 integrins, providing evidence that different ECM receptors have nonredundant functions in skeletal muscle fibers.

Kinematic modeling of single muscle fiber during diaphragm shortening

Understanding the kinematics of the diaphragm muscle at the single fiber level is important in understanding the mechanics of its membrane. Nevertheless, the geometric parameters of single muscle fiber contraction remain poorly understood. We modeled the kinematics of a single muscle fiber of the diaphragm to determine the relationships among fiber shape, perimeter of the fiber cross-section, and apparent surface area of the fiber during muscle shortening. We used the models to identify which constraints on the geometric parameters are most consistent with physiological data on diaphragmatic muscle shortening. Our kinematic models use isovolumic fibers with elliptical cross-sections, and these models have the following properties: (1) constant cross-sectional shape, (2) inextensible cross-sectional perimeter, (3) constant cross-sectional transverse dimension, or (4) constant apparent surface area. These models were investigated during muscle shortening of the diaphragm from functional residual capacity to total lung capacity. The model that matches physiologic data best has zero transverse strain and has a relationship between fiber shape and muscle shortening consistent with published data on single muscle fiber mechanics.

Fiber architecture of canine abdominal muscles

During respiration, abdominal muscles experience loads, not only in the muscle-fiber direction but also transverse to the fibers. We wondered whether the abdominal muscles exhibit a fiber architecture that is similar to the diaphragm muscle, and, therefore, we chose two adjacent muscles: the internal oblique (IO), with about the same muscle length as the diaphragm, and the transverse abdominis (TA), which is twice as long as the diaphragm. First, we used acetylcholinesterase staining to examine the distribution of neuromuscular junctions on both surfaces of the TA and IO muscles in six dogs. A maximum of four irregular bands of neuromuscular junctions crossed the IO, and as many as six bands crossed the TA, which is consistent with a discontinuous fiber architecture. In six additional dogs, we examined fiber architecture of these muscles by microdissecting 103 fascicles from the IO and 139 from the TA. Each fascicle contained between 20 and 30 muscle fibers. The mean length of nonspanning fibers (NSF) ranged from 2.8 +/- 0.3 cm in the IO to 4.3 +/- 0.5 cm in the TA, and the mean length of spanning fibers ranged from 4.3 +/- 0.5 cm in the IO to 7.6 +/- 1.4 cm in the TA. NSF accounted for 89.6 +/- 1.5% of all fibers dissected from the IO and 99.1 +/- 0.2% of all fibers dissected from the TA. The percentage of NSF with both ends tapered was 6.2 +/- 1.0 and 41.0 +/- 2.3% for IO and TA, respectively. These data show that fiber architecture in either IO or TA is discontinuous, with much more short-tapered fibers in the TA than in the IO. When abdominal muscles are submaximally activated, as during both normal expiration and maximal expiratory efforts, muscle force could be transmitted to the cell membrane and to the extracellular intramuscular connective tissue by shear linkage, presumably via structural transmembrane proteins.

Lack of desmin results in abortive muscle regeneration and modifications in synaptic structure

Desmin, a muscle-specific intermediate filament protein, is expressed in all muscle tissues. Its absence leads to a multisystemic disorder involving cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles. In skeletal muscle, structural abnormalities include lack of alignment of myofibrils, Z disk streaming, and focal muscle degeneration. In this study, we have examined the consequences of an absence of desmin on the mechanisms of regeneration and the integrity of the neuromuscular junction. The muscles of desmin knock-out and wild-type mice were made to regenerate by injecting cardiotoxin and were examined 7 to 42 days following the injection. The absence of desmin resulted in a delayed and modified regeneration and an accumulation of adipocytes. This was associated with a persistence of small diameter muscle fibers containing both N-CAM and developmental myosin isoforms. The amount of the slow myosin was increased, whereas there was a decrease in the fast isoform in the regenerated muscles of desmin knock-out mice. Both regeneration and aging led to the appearance of elongated neuromuscular junctions with diffuse acetylcholinesterase staining and a decrease in the overall acetylcholinesterase activity in the muscles of these mice. The neuromuscular junctions were markedly disorganised and in some cases postjunctional folds were absent. We conclude that desmin is essential for terminal muscle regeneration, maturation of muscle fibers, and maintaining the complex folded structure of the postsynaptic apparatus of the neuromuscular junctions.

Application of passive stretch and its implications for muscle fibers

To increase range of motion, physical therapists frequently use passive stretch as a means of gaining increased excursion around a joint. In addition to clinical studies showing effectiveness, thereby supporting evidence-based practice, the basic sciences can provide an explanation how a technique might work once a technique is known to be effective. The goal of this article is to review the potential cellular events that may occur when muscle fibers are stretched passively. A biomechanical example of passive stretch applied to the ankle is used to provide a means to discuss passive stretch at the cellular and molecular levels. The implications of passive stretch on muscle fibers and the related connective tissue are discussed with respect to tissue biomechanics. Emphasis is placed on structures that are potentially involved in the sensing and signal transduction of stretch, and the mechanisms that may result in myofibrillogenesis are explored.

Desmin integrates the three-dimensional mechanical properties of muscles

Striated muscle is a linear motor whose properties have been defined in terms of uniaxial structures. The question addressed here is what contribution is made to the properties of this motor by extramyofilament cytoskeletal structures that are not aligned in parallel with the myofilaments. This question arose from observations that transverse loads increase muscle force production in diaphragm but not in the hindlimb muscle, thereby indicating the presence of structures that couple longitudinal and transverse properties of diaphragmatic muscle. Furthermore, we find that the diaphragms of null mutants for the cytoskeletal protein desmin show 1) significant reductions in coupling between the longitudinal and transverse properties, indicating for the first time a role for a specific protein in integrating the three-dimensional mechanical properties of muscle, 2) significant reductions in the stiffness and viscoelasticity of muscle, and 3) significant increases in tetanic force production. Thus desmin serves a complex mechanical function in diaphragm muscle by contributing both to passive stiffness and viscoelasticity and to modulation of active force production in a three-dimensional structural network. Our finding changes the paradigm of force transmission among cells by placing our understanding of the function of the cytoskeleton in the context of the structural and mechanical complexity of muscles.

Nestin is expressed during development and in myotendinous and neuromuscular junctions in wild type and desmin knock-out mice

Desmin, the main component of intermediate filaments (IFs) in mature skeletal muscle, forms an interlinking scaffold around myofibrils with connections to the sarcolemma and the nuclear membrane. Desmin is enriched in neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions. Mice lacking the desmin gene develop normally and reproduce. However, postnatally they develop a cardiomyopathy and a dystrophy in highly used muscles. We have investigated whether and how neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions are affected and whether nestin compensates for the lack of desmin in the knock-out (K/O) mice. We show that neither neuromuscular nor myotendinous junctions were markedly affected in the desmin K/O mice. In neuromuscular junctions nestin was present between the postjunctional folds and the subneural nuclei and between the nucleus and the myofibrillar cytoskeleton. In myotendinous junctions nestin was present between myofibrils at the Z-disc level and in longitudinal strands close to and at the junction. Nestin expression at these specialized sites, as well as during myogenesis and myofibrillogenesis, is independent of the presence of desmin. In desmin K/O mice nestin was also found in regenerating myofibers. The presence of nestin at neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions might provide enough strength for preservation and organization of the junctional areas, although desmin is lacking.

Immunogold EM reveals a close association of plectin and the desmin cytoskeleton in human skeletal muscle

Plectin is a multifunctional cytoskeletal linker protein with an intermediate filament-binding site and sequence elements with high homology to actin-binding domains. Mutations of the human plectin gene as well as the targeted inactivation of its murine analog cause a generalized blistering skin disorder and muscular dystrophy, thus implying its essential role in cells that are exposed to mechanical stress. In the present study we report the characterization of two new domain-specific plectin antibodies as well as ultrastructural localization of plectin in normal human skeletal muscle. Using immunogold electron microscopy, we localized plectin at three prominent sites: 1) Plectin is found at regularly spaced intervals along the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. 2) It is distinctly localized at filamentous bridges between Z-lines of peripheral myofibrils and the sarcolemma and 3) at structures forming the intermyofibrillar scaffold. At the latter two locations, plectin and desmin were found to colocalize. Our ultrastructural analysis suggests that plectin may have a central role in the structural and functional organization of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton in mature human skeletal muscle.

Specific and innervation-regulated expression of the intermediate filament protein nestin at neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions in skeletal muscle

The intermediate filament proteins nestin, vimentin, and desmin show a specific temporal expression pattern during the development of myofibers from myogenic precursor cells. Nestin and vimentin are actively expressed during early developmental stages to be later down-regulated, vimentin completely and nestin to minimal levels, whereas desmin expression begins later and is maintained in mature myofibers, in which desmin participates in maintaining structural integrity. In this study we have analyzed the expression levels and distribution pattern of nestin in intact and denervated muscle in rat and in human. Nestin immunoreactivity was specifically and focally localized in the sarcoplasm underneath neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and in the vicinity of the myotendinous junctions (MTJs), ie, in regions associated with acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). This association prompted us to analyze nestin in neurogenically and myogenically denervated muscle. Immunoblot analysis disclosed a marked overall increase of accumulated nestin protein. Similar to the extrajunctional redistribution of AChRs in denervated myofibers, nestin immunoreactivity extended widely beyond the NMJ region. Re-innervation caused complete reversion of these changes. Our study demonstrates that the expression levels and distribution pattern of nestin are regulated by innervation, ie, signal transduction into myofibers.

Desmin is essential for the tensile strength and integrity of myofibrils but not for myogenic commitment, differentiation, and fusion of skeletal muscle

A null mutation was introduced into the mouse desmin gene by homologous recombination. The desmin knockout mice (Des -/-) develop normally and are fertile. However, defects were observed after birth in skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles (Li, Z., E. Colucci-Guyon, M. Pincon-Raymond, M. Mericskay, S. Pournin, D. Paulin, and C. Babinet. 1996. Dev. Biol. 175:362-366; Milner, D.J., G. Weitzer, D. Tran, A. Bradley, and Y. Capetanaki. 1996. J. Cell Biol. 134:1255- 1270). In the present study we have carried out a detailed analysis of somitogenesis, muscle formation, maturation, degeneration, and regeneration in Des -/- mice. Our results demonstrate that all early stages of muscle differentiation and cell fusion occur normally. However, after birth, modifications were observed essentially in weight-bearing muscles such as the soleus or continually used muscles such as the diaphragm and the heart. In the absence of desmin, mice were weaker and fatigued more easily. The lack of desmin renders these fibers more susceptible to damage during contraction. We observed a process of degeneration of myofibers, accompanied by macrophage infiltration, and followed by a process of regeneration. These cycles of degeneration and regeneration resulted in a relative increase in slow myosin heavy chain (MHC) and decrease in fast MHC. Interestingly, this second wave of myofibrillogenesis during regeneration was often aberrant and showed signs of disorganization. Subsarcolemmal accumulation of mitochondria were also observed in these muscles. The lack of desmin was not compensated by an upregulation of vimentin in these mice either during development or regeneration. Absence of desmin filaments within the sarcomere does not interfere with primary muscle formation or regeneration. However, myofibrillogenesis in regenerating fibers is often abortive, indicating that desmin may be implicated in this repair process. The results presented here show that desmin is essential to maintain the structural integrity of highly solicited skeletal muscle.

Extracellular matrix and transmembrane linkages at the termination of intrafusal fibers and the outer capsule in chicken muscle spindles

Attachments of intrafusal fibers and of the outer spindle capsule at the far polar region were examined by immunohistochemistry in serially sectioned chicken leg muscles. Patterns of distribution of connective tissues and intracellular filaments suggest that, in this segment of the muscle spindle, intrafusal fibers bind laterally with the capsule. Contrary to extrafusal fibers at myotendinous junctions, folded plasmalemmas at the ends of intrafusal fibers were rare. Thus, there was little end-to-end interlocking between intrafusal fibers and the extracellular matrix. The tapered contours of terminating intrafusal fibers resembled those of extrafusal fibers which end in fascicles without tendinous connections. At points where the distal portions of intrafusal fibers closely adjoined and overlapped extrafusal fibers, alpha-actinin, vinculin, filamin, talin, beta 1 integrin, spectrin, and dystrophin occurred with moderate to great frequency. It is generally accepted that these compounds are links in molecular chains that extend from the intracellular space across cell membranes to the extracellular matrix. Their location along substantial lengths of extrafusal fibers, distal capsule, and terminating intrafusal fibers suggests the presence of numerous transverse connections between elements of the terminal portion of the spindle and nonspindle tissues. Hence, it is likely that forces monitored by chicken spindles in muscles undergoing length changes are transferred from extrafusal fibers and extracellular matrix to the receptors in large part via lateral shear instead of by longitudinal tension.

Type VI collagen in mouse masseter tendon, from osseous attachment to myotendinous junction

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

The association of masseter tendon type VI collagen with other extracellular matrix (ECM) components was examined from osseous attachment to myotendinous junction by immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy with ATP treatment and enzyme digestion.

RESULTS

In the tendon proper, fibrocytes extended their processes among bundles of striated collagen fibrils and associated with adjacent cells through amorphous materials, thus forming a three-dimensional network. The amorphous or filamentous material was observed around the fibrocyte cell body and along the cell processes, where the localization of type VI collagen was confirmed by immunohistochemistry using anti-type VI collagen antibody. After treatment with 20 mM adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), 100 nm periodic fibrils, an aggregated form of type VI collagen, were formed in the place where amorphous or filamentous material was present before the treatment. In myotendinous junction, the ATP-aggregated periodic fibrils were observed to associate with the external lamina of the muscle cells as well as among junctional tendon collagen fibrils. In the tendon-bone boundary, ATP-aggregated periodic fibrils were observed around fibrocartilage-like cells in the uncalcifying area but not in the calcification front. Prolonged ATP treatment or hyaluronidase predigestion caused the formation of type VI collagen periodic fibrils in the area near the calcified matrix.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of type VI collagen in mouse masseter tendon is different in different anatomical position. This may reflect the different functional demand for this collagen.

Respective effects of hindlimb suspension, confinement and spaceflight on myotendinous junction ultrastructure

This study compares the effects of 14-day confinement and spaceflight with the respective effects of 8, 18 and 29-day hindlimb suspension on rat soleus and plantaris MTJ ultrastructure. Independently of the experimental situation, greater morphological changes were observed in the soleus as compared to the plantaris MTJ. 18 days of suspension and 14 days of confinement resulted in ultrastructural modifications of the digit-like processes in the soleus MTJ. Additional changes were observed in the myofibrils, microtendon and tendon after 29 days of suspension and 4 days of spaceflight. These results emphasize the influence of the intensity and duration of the muscle loading on the MTJ ultrastructure.

Myosin heavy chain expression within the tapered ends of skeletal muscle fibers

BACKGROUND

The pectoralis muscle of the chicken contains fast-twitch glycolytic fibers, which during development undergo a transformation in their myosin heavy chain (MyHC) content from embryonic to a neonatal to an adult isoform (Bandman et al., 1990). Little, however, is known of MyHC expression within the ends of these or other muscle fibers. Here we test the hypothesis that the tapered ends of mature skeletal muscle fibers contain a less mature MyHC isoform than that typically found throughout their lengths.

METHODS

We apply an ammoniacal silver histological stain for endomysium and monoclonal antibodies against neonatal and adult MyHCs of chicken pectoralis to transverse serial sections of pectoralis from five mature chickens. The "lesser fiber diameters" of populations of fibers from each bird are also measured.

RESULTS

Most (approximately 81.8%) of the small (< 12 microns) and none of the larger (> 20 microns) diameter fibers contain the neonatal MyHC. Following these smaller fibers through serial sections, we show that they are the tapered ends of the larger fibers. Whereas neonatal MyHC is restricted to the tapered fiber ends, adult MyHC is present throughout the entire lengths of all fibers. We also demonstrate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity at some of these fiber ends.

CONCLUSIONS

We postulate that longitudinal growth of myofibrils in adult muscle is characterized by the sequential expression of MyHC isoforms similar to that observed in rapidly growing muscle and that the presence of the neurotransmitter hydrolase AChE at the tapered fiber ends may be related to the retention of neonatal MyHC.

Immunocytochemistry of the muscle cell cytoskeleton

The muscle cell cytoskeleton is defined for this review as any structure or protein primarily involved in linking or connecting protein filaments to each other or to anchoring sites. In striated muscle, the M line connects thick filaments at their centers to adjacent thick filaments. Titin forms elastic filaments that extend from the M line to the Z line and may contribute to the resting tension properties of striated muscle. Nebulin forms inextensible filaments in skeletal muscle that are closely associated with thin filaments and that may provide a length template for thin filaments. Z lines anchor thin filaments from adjacent sarcomeres via the actin-binding function of alpha-actinin. Other proteins located at the Z line include Cap Z, Z-nin, Z protein, and zeugmatin. Intermediate filaments connect myofibrils to each other at the level of the Z line and to the sarcolemma at the Z- and possibly the M-line levels. Immunolocalization has identified the adhesion plaque proteins spectrin, vinculin, dystrophin, ankyrin, and talin at subsarcolemmal sites where they may be involved with filament attachment. Smooth muscle cell cytoskeletons are believed to include membrane associated dense bodies (MADBs), intermediate filaments, cytoplasmic dense bodies (CDBs), and perhaps a subset of actin filaments. MADBs contain a menu of attachment plaque proteins and anchor both thin filaments and intermediate filaments to the sarcolemma. CDBs are intracellular analogs of striated muscle Z lines and anchor thin filaments and intermediate filaments.

Disruption of intermediate filament organization leads to structural defects at the intersomite junction in Xenopus myotomal muscle

In mature striated muscle, intermediate filaments (IFs) are associated with the periphery of Z-discs and sites of myofibril-membrane attachment. Previously T. Schultheiss, Z. X. Lin, H. Ishikawa, I. Zamir, C. J. Stoeckert and H. Holtzer (1991) J. Cell Biol. 114, 953) reported that the disruption of IF organization in cultured chick myotubes had no detectable effect on muscle cell structure. Cultured muscle is not, however, under the mechanical loads characteristic of muscle in situ. The dorsal myotomal muscle (DMM) of the Xenopus tadpole provides an accessible model system in which to study the effects of mutant IF proteins on an intact, functional muscle. DNAs encoding truncated forms of Xenopus vimentin or desmin were injected into fertilized Xenopus eggs. Embryos were allowed to develop to the tadpole stage and then examined by confocal or electron microscopy. DMM cells containing the truncated IF polypeptides displayed disorganized IF systems. While the alignment of Z-lines appeared unaffected, cells accumulating mutant IF polypeptides displayed abnormal organization at the intersomite junction. Myocyte termini are normally characterized by deep invaginations of the sarcolemma. In myocytes expressing mutated IF polypeptides, these membrane invaginations were reduced or completely absent. Furthermore, the attachment of myofibrils to the junctional membrane was often aberrant or completely disrupted. These results suggest that in active muscle IFs play an important role in the organization and/or stabilization of myofibril-membrane attachment sites.

Alpha v integrin subunit is predominantly located in nervous tissue and skeletal muscle during mouse development

Alpha v integrin subunit can dimerize with different beta subunits to form receptors for several matrix proteins. The function of these receptors in vivo is still largely unknown. We examined the localization of alpha v integrin during mouse development and showed that its distribution is dynamically regulated in the glia of the central nervous system and in skeletal muscle. Immunoreactivity in the neural tube was firstly localized at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) around cell bodies lining the lumen and along tiny fibres extending towards the outer margin. At E12.5 alpha v distribution follows the highly defined pattern of the radial glia: fascicles of immunoreactive fibres form parallel palisades, in particular along the hindbrain and the spinal cord. At E15.5, although with weaker intensity, alpha v was still detectable in radial glia fibres, and it codistributed with glial fibrillary acidic protein positive fascicles. After birth (P8) alpha v immunoreactivity in the brain and spinal cord decreased dramatically, but remained high in the radial glia of the cerebellum. In adult mice alpha v reactivity in the central nervous system disappeared. During myogenesis alpha v appears at E10.5 in myotomal cells and from E12.5 alpha v was evident in myoblasts and in myotubes. In the developing skeletal muscle of E15.5 embryos, immunoreactivity became more concentrated in the apical portion of the myotubes. In adult striated muscle the amount of alpha v subunit dramatically declined and immunostaining was no longer detectable. During development, alpha v was weakly evident in other sites including heart and endothelia of blood vessels, mesonephric tubula, smooth muscle of the digestive tract, and bronchia. Comparative analysis of the localization of alpha v, alpha 3, and alpha 5 integrin subunits indicated that alpha v has a unique and highly regulated distribution pattern. The distribution in the nervous system is consistent with a role of alpha v in neuron-glia interaction during the organization of the neuronal layers in the brain cortex and in the cerebellum. Moreover, alpha v is likely to be involved in the myotendinous junction during embryonic life, suggesting a dual functional role of this integrin in muscle and nervous tissue.