Cytochrome c protein-synthesis rates and mRNA contents during atrophy and recovery in skeletal muscle

Understanding lower limb muscle volume adaptations to amputation

Amputation of a major limb, and the subsequent return to movement with a prosthesis, requires the development of compensatory strategies to account for the loss. Such strategies, over time, lead to regional muscle atrophy and hypertrophy through chronic under or overuse of muscles compared to uninjured individuals. The aim of this study was to quantify the lower limb muscle parameters of persons with transtibial and transfemoral amputations using high resolution MRI to ascertain muscle volume and to determine regression equations for predicting muscle volume using femur- and tibia-length, pelvic-width, height, and mass. Twelve persons with limb loss participated in this study and their data were compared to six matched control subjects. Subjects with unilateral transtibial amputation showed whole-limb muscle volume loss in the residual-limb, whereas minor volume changes in the intact limb were found, providing evidence for a compensation strategy that is dominated by the intact-limb. Subjects with bilateral-transfemoral amputations showed significant muscle volume increases in the short adductor muscles with an insertion not affected by the amputation, the hip flexors, and the gluteus medius, and significant volume decreases in the longer adductor muscles, rectus femoris, and hamstrings. This study presents a benchmark measure of muscle volume discrepancies in persons with limb-loss, and can be used to understand the compensation strategies of persons with limb-loss and the impact on muscle volume, thus enabling the development of optimised intervention protocols, conditioning therapies, surgical techniques, and prosthetic devices that promote and enhance functional capability within the population of persons with limb loss.

Quantification of Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation in Metabolic Disease: Application to Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing health concern with nearly 400 million affected worldwide as of 2014. T2D presents with hyperglycemia and insulin resistance resulting in increased risk for blindness, renal failure, nerve damage, and premature death. Skeletal muscle is a major site for insulin resistance and is responsible for up to 80% of glucose uptake during euglycemic hyperglycemic clamps. Glucose uptake in skeletal muscle is driven by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and for this reason mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in T2D. In this review we integrate mitochondrial function with physiologic function to present a broader understanding of mitochondrial functional status in T2D utilizing studies from both human and rodent models. Quantification of mitochondrial function is explained both in vitro and in vivo highlighting the use of proper controls and the complications imposed by obesity and sedentary lifestyle. This review suggests that skeletal muscle mitochondria are not necessarily dysfunctional but limited oxygen supply to working muscle creates this misperception. Finally, we propose changes in experimental design to address this question unequivocally. If mitochondrial function is not impaired it suggests that therapeutic interventions and drug development must move away from the organelle and toward the cardiovascular system.

Role of Inactivity in Chronic Diseases: Evolutionary Insight and Pathophysiological Mechanisms

This review proposes that physical inactivity could be considered a behavior selected by evolution for resting, and also selected to be reinforcing in life-threatening situations in which exercise would be dangerous. Underlying the notion are human twin studies and animal selective breeding studies, both of which provide indirect evidence for the existence of genes for physical inactivity. Approximately 86% of the 325 million in the United States (U.S.) population achieve less than the U.S. Government and World Health Organization guidelines for daily physical activity for health. Although underappreciated, physical inactivity is an actual contributing cause to at least 35 unhealthy conditions, including the majority of the 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. First, we introduce nine physical inactivity-related themes. Next, characteristics and models of physical inactivity are presented. Following next are individual examples of phenotypes, organ systems, and diseases that are impacted by physical inactivity, including behavior, central nervous system, cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolism, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, bone, immunity, digestion, and cancer. Importantly, physical inactivity, itself, often plays an independent role as a direct cause of speeding the losses of cardiovascular and strength fitness, shortening of healthspan, and lowering of the age for the onset of the first chronic disease, which in turn decreases quality of life, increases health care costs, and accelerates mortality risk.

Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases

Chronic diseases are major killers in the modern era. Physical inactivity is a primary cause of most chronic diseases. The initial third of the article considers: activity and prevention definitions; historical evidence showing physical inactivity is detrimental to health and normal organ functional capacities; cause versus treatment; physical activity and inactivity mechanisms differ; gene-environment interaction (including aerobic training adaptations, personalized medicine, and co-twin physical activity); and specificity of adaptations to type of training. Next, physical activity/exercise is examined as primary prevention against 35 chronic conditions [accelerated biological aging/premature death, low cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), sarcopenia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease, hypertension, stroke, congestive heart failure, endothelial dysfunction, arterial dyslipidemia, hemostasis, deep vein thrombosis, cognitive dysfunction, depression and anxiety, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, balance, bone fracture/falls, rheumatoid arthritis, colon cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, polycystic ovary syndrome, erectile dysfunction, pain, diverticulitis, constipation, and gallbladder diseases]. The article ends with consideration of deterioration of risk factors in longer-term sedentary groups; clinical consequences of inactive childhood/adolescence; and public policy. In summary, the body rapidly maladapts to insufficient physical activity, and if continued, results in substantial decreases in both total and quality years of life. Taken together, conclusive evidence exists that physical inactivity is one important cause of most chronic diseases. In addition, physical activity primarily prevents, or delays, chronic diseases, implying that chronic disease need not be an inevitable outcome during life.

Chronic α-hydroxyisocaproic acid treatment improves muscle recovery after immobilization-induced atrophy

Muscle disuse atrophy is observed routinely in patients recovering from traumatic injury and can be either generalized resulting from extended bed rest or localized resulting from single-limb immobilization. The present study addressed the hypothesis that a diet containing 5% α-hydroxyisocaproic acid (α-HICA), a leucine (Leu) metabolite, will slow the loss and/or improve recovery of muscle mass in response to disuse. Adult 14-wk-old male Wistar rats were provided a control diet or an isonitrogenous isocaloric diet containing either 5% α-HICA or Leu. Disuse atrophy was produced by unilateral hindlimb immobilization ("casting") for 7 days and the contralateral muscle used as control. Rats were also casted for 7 days and permitted to recover for 7 or 14 days. Casting decreased gastrocnemius mass, which was associated with both a reduction in protein synthesis and S6K1 phosphorylation as well as enhanced proteasome activity and increased atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA. Although neither α-HICA nor Leu prevented the casting-induced muscle atrophy, the decreased muscle protein synthesis was not observed in α-HICA-treated rats. Neither α-HICA nor Leu altered the increased proteasome activity and atrogene expression observed with immobilization. After 14 days of recovery, muscle mass had returned to control values only in the rats fed α-HICA, and this was associated with a sustained increase in protein synthesis and phosphorylation of S6K1 and 4E-BP1 of previously immobilized muscle. Proteasome activity and atrogene mRNA content were at control levels after 14 days and not affected by either treatment. These data suggest that whereas α-HICA does not slow the loss of muscle produced by disuse, it does speed recovery at least in part by maintaining an increased rate of protein synthesis.

Lack of regular physical exercise or too much inactivity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To discuss the current data that acute periods of physical inactivity are harmful to health.

RECENT FINDINGS

Bed rest prescribed for recovery from clinical conditions causes changes in thousands of mRNAs in leg muscles within days. Humans genetically more susceptible to metabolic disorders (low birth weight babies and type 2 diabetic offspring) are as, or more, susceptible to further metabolic dysfunction by the environmental perturbation of bed rest, as compared with healthy controls without these risk factors. High daily accumulations of sitting are not only associated with enhanced metabolic risk, but current findings report that increased sitting time leads to a reduction in insulin sensitivity. Reductions in walking or in ambulatory activity (lower step numbers taken by healthy humans) reduce insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling through Akt in skeletal muscle.

SUMMARY

New findings using human models of physical inactivity (bed rest, increased sitting time, and reduced daily ambulatory activity), extend pre-existing research showing that transitioning to physical inactivity rapidly reduced metabolic health. Modern technological advances that remove standing, walking, and major limb movement initiate metabolic dysfunctions that likely play a fundamental role in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Atrophy and hypertrophy of skeletal muscles: structural and functional aspects

This review summarizes current information on structural and functional changes that occur during muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. Most published studies consider an increase in total mass of a muscle as hypertrophy, whereas a decrease in total mass of a muscle is referred to as atrophy. In hypertrophy, the rate of synthesis is much higher than the rate of degradation of muscle contractile proteins, leading to an increase in the size or volume of an organ due to enlargement of existing cells. When a muscle remains in disuse for a long period, the rate of degradation of contractile proteins becomes greater than the rate of replacement, resulting in muscle atrophy. This defect may occur as a result of lack of nutrition, loss of nerve supply, micro-gravity, ageing, systemic disease, prolonged immobilization or disuse. An understanding of the specific modifications that occur during muscle atrophy and hypertrophy may facilitate the development of novel techniques, as well as new therapies for affected muscles.

Nuclear translocation of EndoG at the initiation of disuse muscle atrophy and apoptosis is specific to myonuclei

Skeletal muscle atrophy is associated with an increase in apoptosis, and we showed previously that endonuclease G (EndoG) is localized to nuclei following unloading. The goal of this study was to determine whether the onset of apoptosis in response to disuse was consistent with the hypothesis that EndoG is involved in myofiber nuclear loss. Atrophy was induced by hindlimb suspension for 12 h or 1, 2, 4 and 7 days in 6-mo-old rats. Soleus myofiber cross-sectional area decreased significantly by 2 days, whereas muscle mass and muscle-to-body mass ratio decreased by 4 and 7 days, respectively. By contrast, a significant increase in apoptosis, evidenced by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive nuclei, occurred as early as 12 h after suspension, preceding the elevation in muscle atrophy F-box gene expression. The early increase in apoptosis appeared to be specific to myofiber nuclei, whereas TUNEL-positive interstitial cells did not become significantly elevated until 2 days after suspension. Furthermore, TUNEL-positive myofiber nuclei colocalized with EndoG as early as 12 h after suspension, and no such localization was observed in interstitial cells. Although no significant change in total activated caspase-3, -7, or -12 protein abundance was apparent, activated caspase-3 was expressed in interstitial cells undergoing apoptosis, some of which were endothelial cells. These data indicate that apoptosis is an early, and therefore possibly causative, event in the process of muscle atrophy, and that EndoG nuclear translocation is specific for myofiber nuclear apoptosis, whereas interstitial cells may undergo apoptosis via a more classical, caspase-dependent pathway.

Lactate dehydrogenase expression at the onset of altered loading in rat soleus muscle

Both functional overload and hindlimb disuse induce significant energy-dependent remodeling of skeletal muscle. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an important enzyme involved in anaerobic glycolysis, catalyzes the interconversion of lactate and pyruvate critical for meeting rapid high-energy demands. The purpose of this study was to determine rat soleus LDH-A and -B isoform expression, mRNA abundance, and enzymatic activity at the onset of increased or decreased loading in the rat soleus muscle. The soleus muscles from male Sprague-Dawley rats were functionally overloaded for up to 3 days by a modified synergist ablation or subjected to disuse by hindlimb suspension for 3 days. LDH mRNA concentration was determined by Northern blotting, LDH protein isoenzyme composition was determined by zymogram analysis, and LDH enzymatic activity was determined spectrophotometrically. LDH-A mRNA abundance increased by 372%, and LDH-B mRNA abundance decreased by 43 and 31% after 24 h and 3 days of functional overload, respectively, compared with that in control rats. LDH protein expression demonstrated a shift by decreasing LDH-B isoforms and increasing LDH-A isoforms. LDH-B activity decreased 80% after 3 days of functional overload. Additionally, LDH-A activity increased by 234% following 3 days of hindlimb suspension. However, neither LDH-A or LDH-B mRNA abundance was affected following 3 days of hindlimb suspension. In summary, the onset of altered loading induced a differential expression of LDH-A and -B in the rat soleus muscle, favoring rapid energy production. Long-term altered loading is associated with myofiber conversion; however, the rapid changes in LDH at the onset of altered loading may be involved in other physiological processes.

Regrowth of skeletal muscle atrophied from inactivity

The current state of knowledge regarding regrowth of skeletal muscle after inactivity-induced atrophy is reviewed. Muscle regrowth is incomplete after hindlimb suspension in juvenile rats and after limb immobilization in old animals. The process of regrowth from immobilization-induced atrophy likely involves the reversal of directional changes in molecules producing muscle loss while initiating anabolic processes for regrowth of muscle mass. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms responsible for successful, or failed, muscle regrowth are not well understood. The purpose of the review is to provide current knowledge about the biology of muscle regrowth from inactivity-induced atrophy.

Exercise and gene expression: physiological regulation of the human genome through physical activity

The current human genome was moulded and refined through generations of time. We propose that the basic framework for physiologic gene regulation was selected during an era of obligatory physical activity, as the survival of our Late Palaeolithic (50 000-10 000 BC) ancestors depended on hunting and gathering. A sedentary lifestyle in such an environment probably meant elimination of that individual organism. The phenotype of the present day Homo sapiens genome is much different from that of our ancient ancestors, primarily as a consequence of expressing evolutionarily programmed Late Palaeolithic genes in an environment that is predominantly sedentary. In this sense, our current genome is maladapted, resulting in abnormal gene expression, which in turn frequently manifests itself as clinically overt disease. We speculate that some of these genes still play a role in survival by causing premature death from chronic diseases produced by physical inactivity. We also contend that the current scientific evidence supports the notion that disruptions in cellular homeostasis are diminished in magnitude in physically active individuals compared with sedentary individuals due to the natural selection of gene expression that supports the physically active lifestyle displayed by our ancestors. We speculate that genes evolved with the expectation of requiring a certain threshold of physical activity for normal physiologic gene expression, and thus habitual exercise in sedentary cultures restores perturbed homeostatic mechanisms towards the normal physiological range of the Palaeolithic Homo sapiens. This hypothesis allows us to ask the question of whether normal physiological values change as a result of becoming sedentary. In summary, in sedentary cultures, daily physical activity normalizes gene expression towards patterns established to maintain the survival in the Late Palaeolithic era.

Invited Review: contractile activity-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle

Chronic contractile activity produces mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle. This adaptation results in a significant shift in adenine nucleotide metabolism, with attendant improvements in fatigue resistance. The vast majority of mitochondrial proteins are derived from the nuclear genome, necessitating the transcription of genes, the translation of mRNA into protein, the targeting of the protein to a mitochondrial compartment via the import machinery, and the assembly of multisubunit enzyme complexes in the respiratory chain or matrix. Putative signals involved in initiating this pathway of gene expression in response to contractile activity likely arise from combinations of accelerations in ATP turnover or imbalances between mitochondrial ATP synthesis and cellular ATP demand, and Ca(2+) fluxes. These rapid events are followed by the activation of exercise-responsive kinases, which phosphorylate proteins such as transcription factors, which subsequently bind to upstream regulatory regions in DNA, to alter transcription rates. Contractile activity increases the mRNA levels of nuclear-encoded proteins such as cytochrome c and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) and mRNA levels of upstream transcription factors like c-jun and nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1). mRNA level changes are often most evident during the postexercise recovery period, and they can occur as a result of contractile activity-induced increases in transcription or mRNA stability. Tfam is imported into mitochondria and controls the expression of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). mtDNA contributes only 13 protein products to the respiratory chain, but they are vital for electron transport and ATP synthesis. Contractile activity increases Tfam expression and accelerates its import into mitochondria, resulting in increased mtDNA transcription and replication. The result of this coordinated expression of the nuclear and the mitochondrial genomes, along with poorly understood changes in phospholipid synthesis, is an expansion of the muscle mitochondrial reticulum. Further understanding of 1) regulation of mtDNA expression, 2) upstream activators of NRF-1 and other transcription factors, 3) the identity of mRNA stabilizing proteins, and 4) potential of contractile activity-induced changes in apoptotic signals are warranted.

Effect of microgravity on the expression of mitochondrial enzymes in rat cardiac and skeletal muscles

The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes in cardiac and skeletal muscle (triceps brachii) in response to short-duration microgravity exposure. Six adult male rats were exposed to microgravity for 6 days and were compared with six ground-based control animals. We observed a significant 32% increase in heart malate dehydrogenase (MDH) enzyme activity, which was accompanied by a 62% elevation in heart MDH mRNA levels after microgravity exposure. Despite modest elevations in the mRNAs encoding subunits III, IV, and VIc as well as a 2.2-fold higher subunit IV protein content after exposure to microgravity, heart cytochrome c oxidase (CytOx) enzyme activity remained unchanged. In skeletal muscle, MDH expression was unaffected by microgravity, but CytOx activity was significantly reduced 41% by microgravity, whereas subunit III, IV, and VIc mRNA levels and subunit IV protein levels were unaltered. Thus tissue-specific (i.e., heart vs. skeletal muscle) differences exist in the regulation of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins in response to microgravity. In addition, the expression of nuclear-encoded proteins such as CytOx subunit IV and expression of MDH are differentially regulated within a tissue. Our data also illustrate that the heart undergoes previously unidentified mitochondrial adaptations in response to short-term microgravity conditions more dramatic than those evident in skeletal muscle. Further studies evaluating the functional consequences of these adaptations in the heart, as well as those designed to measure protein turnover, are warranted in response to microgravity.

Cytochrome c mRNA in skeletal muscles of immobilized limbs

Even though immobilization of a slow skeletal muscle in a lengthened position prevents muscle atrophy, it is unknown whether this treatment would prevent a decrease in mitochondrial quantity. We found that, regardless of muscle length in immobilized limbs, the mRNA of a marker for mitochondrial quantity, cytochrome c, decreased. Cytochrome c mRNA per milligram of muscle was 62 and 72% less 1 wk after fixation of the soleus muscle in shortened and lengthened positions, respectively, than age-matched controls. Cytochrome c mRNA per milligram wet weight was 36 and 32% less in the tibialis anterior muscle fixed for 1 wk in the shortened and lengthened positions, respectively, compared with age-matched controls. Recently, in the 3'-untranslated region of cytochrome c mRNA a novel RNA-protein interaction that decreases in chronically stimulated rat skeletal muscle was identified. [Z. Yan, S. Salmons, Y. L. Dang, M. T. Hamilton, and F. W. Booth. Am. J. Physiol. 271 (Cell Physiol. 40): C1157-C1166, 1996]. The RNA-protein interaction in the 3'-untranslated region of cytochrome c mRNA in soleus and tibialis anterior muscles was unaffected by fixation in either shortened or lengthened position. We conclude that, whereas lengthening muscle during limb fixation abates the loss of total muscle protein, the percentage decrease in cytochrome c mRNA is proportionally greater than total protein. This suggests that the design of countermeasures to muscle atrophy should include different exercises to maintain total protein and mitochondria.

Contractile properties of the human triceps surae muscle during simulated weightlessness

The effect of a 120-day period of bed rest on the mechanical properties of human triceps surae muscle was studied in a group of male volunteers (n = 6, mean age 38 years). The results shows that the contractile properties of skeletal muscle in response to disuse change considerably. Time to isometric peak tension of the triceps surae muscle increased from 120 (SEM 3.0)ms to 136 (SEM 2.9)ms (P < 0.01), half relaxation time from 92 (SEM 2.1)ms to 100 (SEM 1.6)ms (P < 0.05) and total contraction time from 440 (SEM 9.9)ms to 540 (SEM 18.7)ms (P < 0.001). Isometric twitch force (Ft) decreased by a mean of 36.7% (P < 0.05), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and maximal force (Fmax) by a mean of 45.5% and 33.7%, respectively (P < 0.05-0.01). The value Fmax:Ft ratio increased by 3.6% (nonsignificant). The difference between Fmax and MVC, expressed as a percentage of Fmax and referred to as force deficiency, has also been calculated. Force deficit increased by a mean of 60% (P < 0.001) after bed rest. Force-velocity properties of the triceps surae muscle calculated according to an absolute scale of voluntary and electrically evoked contraction development decreased considerably. The calculations of the same properties on a relative scale did not differ substantially from the initial physiological state. The results would suggest that muscle disuse is associated with both atrophy and a reduction in contractility in the development of Fmax and decreased central (motor) drive. The change in the triceps surae muscle contractile velocity properties may indicate changes in the kinetically active state in the muscles.

Cytochrome c mRNA levels decrease in senescent rat heart

The concentration of mitochondria decreases in the heart as rodents age from maturity to senescence. The reason for this change is not known. One purpose of the present study was to determine if cytochrome c mRNA, representative of proteins of the inner mitochondrial membrane, decreased in the hearts of Fischer 344 rats as they aged from 12 to 24 months. Twenty-two percent less cytochrome c mRNA existed per given quantity of extracted RNA from the heart in 24-month-old rats as compared with the 12-month-old group. No change in the quantities of cardiac alpha-actin mRNA, Ca2+/calmodulin protein kinase II mRNA or 18S rRNA was noted between 12- and 24-month-old hearts. Thus, the decrease in cytochrome c mRNA suggests that decreases in mRNAs for proteins of the inner mitochondrial membrane could play some role in the diminished concentration of mitochondria that exists in the senescent heart.

Myonexin: an 80-kDa glycoprotein that binds fibronectin and is located at embryonic myotendinous junctions

The distribution and function of an 80-kDa glycoprotein located at the surface of skeletal muscle cells and enriched in gelatin-binding fractions of skeletal muscle extracts are examined in the present study. The glycoprotein was purified by concanavalin A affinity chromatography followed by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. The purified protein did not display gelatin-binding although the protein bound to fibronectin in several assays. First, the glycoprotein bound to fibronectin-Sepharose and did not elute in high salt buffers although subsequent basic elutions displaced the 80-kDa protein from the column. Second, gel filtration of the 80-kDa glycoprotein in the presence of fibronectin showed separate peaks corresponding to the mass of the 80-kDa glycoprotein and fibronectin as well as a third, higher mass peak shown in immunoblots to contain both fibronectin and the 80-kDa glycoprotein. Third, immunoprecipitation with affinity-purified anti-80-kDa glycoprotein in the presence of the glycoprotein and radioiodinated fibronectin precipitated labeled fibronectin. The quantity of labeled fibronectin precipitated was reduced by the addition of nonradiolabeled fibronectin. Immunofluorescent microscopy using affinity-purified, anti-80-kDa showed this protein located at the myotendinous junctions of frog tadpoles and embryonic chicks. In chicks, it was discernible by immunofluorescence only during the morphogenetic stages that myotendinous junctions were being assembled. Amino acid analysis shows that the 80-kDa glycoprotein has a high concentration of acidic residues. There is only one cysteine per molecule in the 80-kDa glycoprotein and comparisons of reducing and nonreducing gels show that no disulfides are present, indicating that this is not an integrin protein. Amino terminal sequencing reveals that the protein contains marked similarity to the amino terminal of calsequestrin although the protein is distinct from calsequestrin in lacking Ca2(+)-dependent phenyl sepharose affinity and in its molecular weight and distribution. The observations indicate that the 80-kDa glycoprotein is a fibronectin receptor present at chick myotendinous junctions during junction morphogenesis. This apparently novel protein is named "myonexin" to reflect its location and likely function in attaching fibronectin to the surface of muscle cells.

Co-ordinate expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit III and VIc mRNAs in rat tissues

Cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) is an enzyme which is composed of subunits derived from both the mitochondrial and the nuclear genomes. To determine whether or not the expression of these two genomes is co-ordinated at the mRNA level, we have examined the steady-state levels of mRNAs coding for cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (mitochondrially encoded) and subunit VIc (nuclear-encoded) in rat tissues. This was compared with the tissue concentration of the holoenzyme, which was estimated by measuring cytochrome c oxidase enzyme activity. The tissues (heart, brain, liver, kidney, soleus muscle and superficial white vastus muscle) possessed a 13-fold range of enzyme activity, which was highest in heart and lowest in the superficial vastus muscle. Specific subunit mRNA levels were quantified by using slot-blot hybridization of cDNA probes to total tissue RNA. The highest values for subunit III and Vlc mRNA tissue contents were found in kidney, followed by liver and heart (40-60% of that of kidney). The white vastus muscle contained the lowest subunit mRNA level (15% of that of kidney). Although some variability was apparent within each tissue, a parallel pattern of mRNA expression of the nuclear- and mitochondrially encoded subunits was observed. Differences between muscle (heart, vastus and soleus) and non-muscle tissues were noted in the relationship between mRNA and protein levels of expression. Thus, although this suggests that tissue-specific regulatory processes operate, the steady-state expression of subunit III and subunit Vlc mRNAs appears to be co-ordinately regulated.

Combined use of oligo(dt) and 28S cDNA probes for the quantitation of total mRNA in polyribosomes: application to the castration-induced atrophy of the rat prostate

The castration-induced atrophy of the rat prostate was used as a model for the validation of a sensitive technique allowing the quantitation of total mRNA in polyribosomes. Electron micrographs of polyribosome samples showed a decrease in polyribosomes length 7 days after castration (GDX). Specificity of labeled oligo(dt) probe for poly(A) was demonstrated and the technique was successfully applied to demonstrate that GDX is associated with a decrease in poly(A) mRNA content of polyribosomes. Provided that normalization of the hybridization signal for mRNA is achieved with a rRNA cDNA probe, the assay therefore represents a suitable tool for further studies regarding the translational regulation of total and/or specific mRNAs.

Differential regulation of actin and myosin isoenzyme synthesis in functionally overloaded skeletal muscle

Overload hypertrophy of the chicken anterior latissimus dorsi muscle is accompanied by a replacement of one myosin isoenzyme (slow myosin-1, SM1) by another (slow myosin-2, SM2). To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which these changes occur, we measured the fractional synthesis rates (ks) in vivo of individual myosin-heavy-chain isoenzymes, total actin and total protein during the first 72 h of muscle growth. Although the ks of total protein and actin were doubled at 24 h, the ks for SM1 and SM2 were depressed. However, the ks of both isomyosins were nearly tripled by 72 h. Despite the increase in muscle size observed at 72 h, the amount of SM1 was reduced by half, indicating increased degradation of SM1. Results of translation of polyribosomes in vitro paralleled the results obtained in vivo. The proportion of total polyadenylylated mRNA in total RNA was increased at 48 and 72 h, but unchanged at 24 h despite the increase in protein synthesis at 24 h. Nuclease-protection analyses indicate that the level of specific SM1 and SM2 mRNAs change in a reciprocal fashion during overload. We conclude that gene-specific and temporal differences exist in the regulatory mechanisms that control overload-induced muscle growth.

Daily running for 2 wk and mRNAs for cytochrome c and alpha-actin in rat skeletal muscle

The purpose of the study was to determine whether daily running durations that were 7-14% of the durations employed in the chronic stimulation protocols (consisting of 24 h of daily indirect electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles) still resulted in increases in a mitochondrial protein mRNA. Adult female rats were run 100 min/day on motor-driven treadmills for 2 wk. Documentation that rats underwent the stated training program was obtained by a 30-41% increase in citrate synthase activity in hindlimb muscles after 2 wk of the training. Cytochrome c mRNA was increased 17-56% in hindlimb muscles after the 2-wk training program. Thus shorter durations of exercise (100 min/day rather than 24 h/day) can increase cytochrome c mRNA. alpha-Actin mRNA increased 61-62% in fast-twitch muscles in the hindlimbs of the same rats that underwent the 2 wk of run training but did not increase in the predominantly slow-twitch soleus muscle. The increase in alpha-actin mRNA was unexpected, since it is well known that this type of physical exercise does not increase the size of fast-twitch skeletal muscle.

Developmental regulation of the mRNAs for elastins a, b and c in foetal-calf nuchal ligament and aorta

The data presented clearly suggest that relative amounts of mRNAs for elastins a, b and c are developmentally regulated in foetal-calf nuchal ligament and aorta and that this regulation is tissue-specific. In nuchal ligament, at earlier stages of foetal development, the relative amounts of mRNAs for elastins a and b are very low. After the foetal age of about 6 months the relative amount of mRNA for elastin b begins to increase. This is followed by an increase in the relative amount of mRNA for elastin a. In aorta, with increasing foetal age, the relative amounts of mRNAs for elastins b and c increase and decrease alternately. The relative amounts of mRNA for elastin a remain low, with only marginal increases with foetal age. A possible self-aggregation role of elastin a in elastogenesis is proposed.

Posttranscriptional regulation of cytochrome c expression during the developmental cycle of Trypanosoma brucei

We examined the expression of a nucleus-encoded mitochondrial protein, cytochrome c, during the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei. The bloodstream forms of T. brucei, the long slender and short stumpy trypanosomes, have inactive mitochondria with no detectable cytochrome-mediated respiration. The insect form of T. brucei, the procyclic trypanosomes, has fully functional mitochondria. Cytochrome c is spectrally undetectable in the bloodstream forms of trypanosomes, but during differentiation to the procyclic form, spectrally detected holo-cytochrome c accumulates rapidly. We have purified T. brucei cytochrome c and raised antibodies that react to both holo- and apo-cytochrome c. In addition, we isolated a partial cDNA to trypanosome cytochrome c. An examination of protein expression and steady-state mRNA levels in T. brucei indicated that bloodstream trypanosomes did not express cytochrome c but maintained significant steady-state levels of cytochrome c mRNA. The results suggest that in T. brucei, cytochrome c is developmentally regulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism which prevents either translation or accumulation of cytochrome c in the bloodstream trypanosomes.

Posttranscriptional regulation of cytochrome c expression during the developmental cycle of Trypanosoma brucei

We examined the expression of a nucleus-encoded mitochondrial protein, cytochrome c, during the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei. The bloodstream forms of T. brucei, the long slender and short stumpy trypanosomes, have inactive mitochondria with no detectable cytochrome-mediated respiration. The insect form of T. brucei, the procyclic trypanosomes, has fully functional mitochondria. Cytochrome c is spectrally undetectable in the bloodstream forms of trypanosomes, but during differentiation to the procyclic form, spectrally detected holo-cytochrome c accumulates rapidly. We have purified T. brucei cytochrome c and raised antibodies that react to both holo- and apo-cytochrome c. In addition, we isolated a partial cDNA to trypanosome cytochrome c. An examination of protein expression and steady-state mRNA levels in T. brucei indicated that bloodstream trypanosomes did not express cytochrome c but maintained significant steady-state levels of cytochrome c mRNA. The results suggest that in T. brucei, cytochrome c is developmentally regulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism which prevents either translation or accumulation of cytochrome c in the bloodstream trypanosomes.

Alpha-actin and cytochrome c mRNAs in atrophied adult rat skeletal muscle

Specific complementary DNA (cDNA) hybridization probes were used to estimate the levels of alpha-actin and cytochrome c mRNAs and also 18S rRNA in three models of skeletal muscle atrophy. After 7 days of hindlimb suspension, or immobilization, or denervation, protein content decreased 26-32% in all muscles studied except suspended fast-twitch muscle, which lost only half as much protein. alpha-Actin mRNA content decreased 51-66% and cytochrome c mRNA content decreased 42-61% in slow- and fast-twitch muscles in all three models of atrophy. However, total RNA content did not show similar directional changes; RNA content decreased 27-44% in suspended and immobilized muscle but was unchanged in denervated fast-twitch muscle. The results were interpreted to suggest that loss of weight-bearing function of skeletal muscle is a major factor affecting the levels of alpha-actin and cytochrome c mRNAs during muscle atrophy.

Actin synthesis rate and mRNA level increase during early recovery of atrophied muscle

The purpose of this study was to correlate actin synthesis rate and alpha-actin mRNA level in the gastrocnemius-plantaris muscles of limbs during their recovery from 7 days of immobilization in 200- to 280-g female rats. The fractional synthesis rate of actin in control muscle was 1%/day. Actin synthesis rate was 33% of control level at the 7th day of hindlimb immobilization, returned to control value at the 2nd recovery day, and was three times higher than control on the 4th day of recovery. The alpha-actin mRNA was 53% of control at the 7th day of immobilization, and its increase during the 1st 2 recovery days paralleled the increase in actin synthesis rate; this suggests that pretranslational mechanisms caused the initial increase in actin synthesis. Further increases in actin synthesis from the 2nd to the 4th day appear to be under translational control, since actin synthesis was 300% of control on the 4th recovery day and alpha-actin mRNA was only 128% of control.