Some electrophysiological properties of developing rat skeletal myotubes grown in serum-free, chemically defined medium

An image analysis method for the precise selection and quantitation of fluorescently labeled cellular constituents: application to the measurement of human muscle cells in culture

The accurate measurement of the morphological characteristics of cells with nonuniform conformations presents difficulties. We report here a straightforward method using immunofluorescent staining and the commercially available imaging program Adobe Photoshop, which allows objective and precise information to be gathered on irregularly shaped cells. We have applied this measurement technique to the analysis of human muscle cells and their immunologically marked intracellular constituents, as these cells are prone to adopting a highly branched phenotype in culture. Use of this method can be used to overcome many of the long-standing limitations of conventional approaches for quantifying muscle cell size in vitro. In addition, wider applications of Photoshop as a quantitative and semiquantitative tool in immunocytochemistry are explored.

Thyroid hormone up-regulates Na+/K+ pump alpha2 mRNA but not alpha2 protein isoform in cultured skeletal muscle

Thyroid hormone (T(3)) is known to up-regulate the physiological expression of the Na(+)/K(+) pump in cultured skeletal muscle. We recently reported that primary cultured rat skeletal muscle expresses only the alpha(1), beta(1) and beta(2) protein isoforms of Na(+)/K(+) pump. Interestingly, alpha(2) mRNA is detectable while the alpha(2) protein isoform is not. We therefore examined whether T(3) might up-regulate the expression of Na(+)/K(+) pump alpha(2) isoform at the protein and mRNA level. We also examined the regulation by this hormone of the other isoforms of the pump. Primary cultures were treated with T3 for 48 h from day 4 to day 6 of differentiation. Protein and mRNA isoforms of Na(+)/K(+) pump were identified by Western blotting and Northern blotting, respectively. T(3) induced a marked increase in the beta(1) protein and a slight increase in the alpha(1) protein. T(3) did not affect expression of the beta(2) protein. The alpha(2) protein was not detected in either untreated or T(3)-treated cells. In contrast, alpha(2) mRNA was highly up-regulated by T(3) treatment compared to the other isoforms. The lack of expression of the alpha(2) protein isoform following T(3) treatment suggests that posttranscriptional events related to this isoform may be dependent on other growth factors or hormones.

Na(+)/K(+) pump expression in the L8 rat myogenic cell line: effects of heterologous alpha subunit transfection

We have characterized the physiological and biochemical properties of the Na(+)/K(+) pump and its molecular expression in L8 rat muscle cells. Pump properties were measured by [(3)H]ouabain binding and (86)Rb uptake. Scatchard plot analysis of specific ouabain binding indicated the presence of a single family of binding sites with a B(max) of approximately 135 fmol/ mg P and a K(D) of 3.3 x 10(-8). (86)Rb uptake due to specific pump activity was found to be 20% of the total in L8 cells. The results indicated lower affinity of L8 cells for ouabain and lower activity of the pump than that reported for chick or rat skeletal muscle in primary culture. Both the alpha(1) and beta(1) protein and mRNA isoforms were expressed in myoblasts and in myotubes, while the alpha(2), alpha(3), and beta(2) isoforms were not detectable. We attempted to overcome low physiological expression of the Na(+)/K(+) pump by employing a vector expressing an avian high affinity alpha subunit. This allowed identification of the transfected subunit separate from that endogenously expressed in L8 cells. Successful transfection into L8 myoblasts and myotubes was recognized by anti-avian alpha subunit monoclonal antibodies. Fusion index, Na(+)/K(+) pump activity, and the level of the transmembrane resting potential were all significantly greater in transfected L8 (tL8) cells than in non-tL8. The total amount of alpha subunit (avian and rat) in tL8 cells was greater than that (only rat) in non-tL8 cells. This relatively high abundance of the Na(+)/K(+) pump in transfected cells may indicate that avian and rat alpha subunits hybridize to form functional pump complexes.

Rat skeletal muscle in culture expresses the alpha1 but not the alpha2 protein subunit isoform of the Na+/K+ pump

Studies from this laboratory have shown that the physiological expression of the Na+/K+ pump in primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle increases with development. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are not known. Therefore, we have examined the expression of alpha and beta subunits of the Na+/K+ pump at both the protein and mRNA levels during myogenesis of primary skeletal muscle cell cultures obtained from newborn rats. Protein isoforms were identified by Western blotting techniques with specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and subunit mRNA was studied with specific cDNA probes. Freshly isolated skeletal muscle from newborn rats expressed both alpha1 and alpha2 protein subunits. From day 1 after plating, primary cultures expressed only the alpha1 protein isoform. In contrast, both beta1 and beta2 isoforms were expressed in freshly isolated muscle and in primary cultures, with beta1 expression being stronger in both preparations. Studies on RNA expression showed that mRNA for alpha1, alpha2, beta1, and beta2 isoforms was identified both in freshly isolated muscle and after plating of cells in culture. These findings indicate that the lack of alpha2 protein expression in primary muscle cell cultures reflects a form of posttranscriptional regulation. There did not appear to be a quantitative difference in isoform expression as a function of age or of fusion in spite of developmental increases in Na+/K+ pump activity and its dependence on cell fusion. The lack of expression of the alpha2 subunit isoform suggests that the developmental changes in physiological expression of the Na+/K+ pump in primary cultures of skeletal muscle may be attributable either to the changes in activity of the alpha1 subunit or to differential activities of alphabeta complexes involving either of the beta subunits.

Early signals in serum-induced increases in ouabain-sensitive Na(+)-K+ pump activity and in glucose transport in rat skeletal muscle are amiloride-sensitive

The acute effects of serum on sodium-potassium (Na(+)-K+) pump activity and glucose uptake in cultured rat skeletal muscle were studied. Addition of serum to myotubes in phosphate-buffered saline caused Na(+)-K+ pump activity (as measured by changes in the ouabain-sensitive component of both membrane potential and 86Rb uptake) to increase, with peak effects obtained after 30 min. The effect was blocked completely by treatment with amiloride, but not by tetrodotoxin, which blocks voltage-dependent Na+ channels. On transfer of myotubes to Na(+)-free, choline buffer, resting Na(+)-K+ pump activity decreased to about 10% of that in phosphate-buffered saline. Addition of regular serum, but not Na(+)-free serum, caused Na(+)-K+ pump activity to increase slightly. Similar results were obtained with serum on glucose uptake, the peak effect being reached within 15 min. Stimulation of glucose uptake by serum was partially reduced by amiloride and was not altered by tetrodotoxin. Removal of external Na+ also eliminated serum effects on glucose uptake. The results demonstrate that there are similar signals involving Na(+)-H+ exchange for serum-induced increases in Na(+)-K+ pump activity and glucose transport. The lack of complete blockade of serum-induced elevation of glucose transport suggests an additional, as yet undefined, intracellular signal for stimulation of this transport system.

Serum factor induces selective increase in Na-channel expression in cultured skeletal muscle

We have examined effects of horse serum (HS) and various fractions (1 million-1M, 300K, 100K, and 30K nominal molecular weight limit) obtained by ultrafiltration on expression of TTX-sensitive Na-channels and on activities of the Na-K pump and glucose transport systems in cultured myotubes obtained from 1-2-day-old neonatal rat pups. Five-day-old cells were transferred to serum-free medium with no hormone or growth factor supplements (DMEM) for 24 hr and then treated with the various serum fractions for 48 hr. Measurements were made of specific [3H]-saxitoxin (STX) binding, action potential properties, 86Rb-uptake and 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake. HS significantly increased all parameters compared to DMEM (increases in STX-binding, 69%; Rb-uptake, 65%; 2-DG uptake, 93%). Results of treatment with the separate fractions showed that the 300K fraction caused a significantly greater increase in STX-binding than either HS or the other fractions. In contrast, the increases in Rb and 2-DG uptakes induced by the different fractions were not different from that obtained with HS. We conclude that serum contains a factor that selectively increases expression of TTX-sensitive Na-channels in skeletal muscle.

Nerve growth factor supports growth of rat skeletal myotubes in culture

Effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) were examined on the growth of rat skeletal myotubes in culture and the expression of Na-K pump activity in this preparation. We found NGF to cause an immediate increase in electrogenic Na-K pump activity as determined by electrogenic component of membrane potential (Em) and ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake. When given chronically, NGF was able to replace serum as an essential supplement for development of cultured myotubes. Thus, when maintained in a serum-free, basal nutrient medium (DMEM), myotubes progressively deteriorated as indicated by morphological appearance, Em and the number of [3H]ouabain binding sites compared with myotubes grown in normal, serum-supplemented growth medium (GM). In contrast, the presence of NGF in DMEM completely prevented the deterioration of these properties, their values actually exceeding those in GM. These findings demonstrate a trophic effect of NGF on bioelectric properties of neonatal mammalian muscle cells.

Role of Na-K ATPase in regulation of resting membrane potential of cultured rat skeletal myotubes

The role of Na-K ATPase in the determination of resting membrane potential (Em) as a function of extracellular K ion concentration was investigated in cultured rat myotubes. The Em of control myotubes at 37 degrees C varied as a function of (K+)0 with a slope of about 58-60 mV per ten-fold change in (K+)0. Inhibition of the Na-K pump with ouabain or by reduced temperature revealed that this relation consists of two components. One, between (K+)0 of 10 and 100 mM, remains unchanged by alterations in enzyme activity; The second, between (K+)0 of 1 and 10 mM, is related to the amount of Na-K pump activity, the slope decreasing as pump activity decreases. Indeed, with complete inhibition of the Na-K pump, Em does not change over the range of (K+)0 1 to 10 mM. Measurements of 86Rb efflux and input resistance of individual myotubes showed that membrane permeability does not change as (K+)0 increases from 1 to 10 mM but increases as (K+)0 increases further. Monensin, which increases Na ion permeability, increases Em at values of external K+ below 10 mM, and is without effect at higher values of K+ concentration. The effect of monensin is blocked by ouabain. Tetrodotoxin, which blocks voltage-dependent Na+ channels, decreases Em at low (2-10 mM) K+. We conclude that changes in Em as a function of extracellular K+ concentration in the physiological range are not adequately explained by the diffusion potential hypothesis of Em, and that other theories (electrogenic pump, surface-absorption) must be considered.

Some electrophysiological properties of cultured rat cerebral cortical neurons dissociated from fetuses at various gestational ages

Neurons from dissociated cerebral cortex of fetal rat of different gestational ages were grown in culture for up to 4 weeks. Studies of membrane and action potentials, input resistance, neuron size and neurite outgrowth showed that neurons from 7-day fetuses develop rapidly both electrophysiologically and morphologically, but are maintained for only about 2 weeks. In contrast, neurons from 14 to 17 day fetuses mature slowly, but can be maintained for at least 4 weeks. Neurons from both young and old fetuses show an increase in resting Em with age, the maximum value of -60 to -65 mV being attained by about 2 weeks. While neurons can be maintained in serum-free medium, their membrane electrical properties deteriorate with time. Thus, appropriate development of neurons in culture depends upon both the age of the starting tissue, and the presence of adequate, but still undefined factors found in animal serum for at least the first several days in culture.

Influence of various growth factors and conditions on development of resting membrane potential and its electrogenic pump component of cultured rat skeletal myotubes

The effects of different growth factors and growth conditions were studied on the development of resting membrane potential and its electrogenic--ouabain-sensitive--pump component in cultured rat myotubes. Resting potential and its electrogenic pump component were dependent on the initial plating density of the myotubes, both values increasing with increasing density. Medium from cells plated at high density, when used to replace the medium of low density cells, increased both the resting potential and its electrogenic pump component of low density myotubes. Treatment of myotubes with cytosine-arabinoside delayed the appearance of [3H]ouabain binding sites and electrogenic pump component of resting potential, but by 8 days in culture there was no difference between treated and control cells. Similarly, cells plated initially in 5% horse serum developed resting potential and its electrogenic pump component more slowly than those in 15% horse serum, but by 8-10 days in vitro, the differences were no longer apparent. Chick embryo extract was found to have little, if any, influence on development of resting potential and its electrogenic pump component. We conclude that the different growth conditions and factors to the extent that they influence membrane potential, do so by altering the time of appearance of Na-K ATPase, the activity of which contributes a considerable component to resting potential.

Contribution of electrogenic sodium-potassium ATPase to resting membrane potential of cultured rat skeletal myotubes

The contribution of electrogenic Na+ -K+ ATPase to resting membrane potential (Em) of mature and developing rat skeletal myotubes in culture was determined by examining effects of inhibition of this enzyme on Em. Ouabain, a specific Na+-K+ ATPase inhibitor, caused resting Em to decrease within 30 s by 5-8 mV and reach a minimum value of about -60 mV after 5 min. The decrease in Em was not accompanied by a decrease in input resistance for up to 15 min after application. Resting Em was found to be dependent on the temperature of the recording medium with maximum values of Em ranging from -85 to -90 mV at a temperature of 35-37 degrees C and minimum values about -60 mV at 10-15 degrees C. Ouabain (1 mM), added to cultures at low temperature (10-15 degrees C) did not further decrease Em but did prevent the increase in Em that occurs with increasing temperature up to 37 degrees C. Resting Em of cultured myotubes was reduced to about -60 mV by reducing the supply of ATP either with 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP), which inhibits oxidative phosphorylation or with fluorodinitrobenzene (FDNB), which inhibits creatine phosphokinase. Neither of these compounds, when added to cultures in the presence of ouabain, reduced resting Em to a value lower than that obtained with ouabain alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dependence of Na+,K+-ATPase and electrogenic component of Em in cultured myotubes on cell fusion

This study was undertaken in order to determine the relation among cell fusion, [3H]ouabain binding and the membrane potential (Em) of cultured rat skeletal muscle. The amount of ouabain bound and the Em both increased with age, the increases being most dramatic following fusion. Inhibition of fusion prevented the developmental increases in both properties of cultured muscle. After fusion, the size of the electrogenic component of Em, determined by the decrease in Em produced by ouabain within 5-10 min, increased independent of the age at which fusion occurred. It is concluded that the increase in Em with age depends on postfusion appearance and activity of Na,K-ATPase.