Changes in architecture of the Golgi complex and other subcellular organelles during myogenesis

Tail-anchored membrane protein SLMAP3 is essential for targeting centrosomal proteins to the nuclear envelope in skeletal myogenesis

The positioning and communication between the nucleus and centrosomes are essential in cell division, differentiation and tissue formation. During skeletal myogenesis, the nuclei become evenly spaced with the switch of the microtubule-organizing centre (MTOC) from the centrosome to the nuclear envelope (NE). We report that the tail-anchored sarcolemmal membrane associated protein 3 (SLMAP3), a component of the MTOC and NE, is crucial for myogenesis because its deletion in mice leads to a reduction in the NE-MTOC formation, mislocalization of the nuclei, dysregulation of the myogenic programme and abnormal embryonic myofibres. SLMAP3-/- myoblasts also displayed a similar disorganized distribution of nuclei with an aberrant NE-MTOC and defective myofibre formation and differentiation programming. We identified novel interactors of SLMAP3, including pericentrin, PCM1 (pericentriolar material 1), AKAP9 (A-kinase anchoring protein 9), kinesin-1 members Kif5B (kinesin family member 5B), KCL1 (kinesin light chain 1), KLC2 (kinesin light chain 2) and nuclear lamins, and observed that the distribution of centrosomal proteins at the NE together with Nesprin-1 was significantly altered by the loss of SLMAP3 in differentiating myoblasts. SLMAP3 is believed to negatively regulate Hippo signalling, but its loss was without impact on this pathway in developing muscle. These results reveal that SLMAP3 is essential for skeletal myogenesis through unique mechanisms involving the positioning of nuclei, NE-MTOC dynamics and gene programming.

Reconstitution of muscle cell microtubule organization in vitro

Skeletal muscle differentiation occurs as muscle precursor cells (myoblasts) elongate and fuse to form multinucleated syncytial myotubes in which the highly-organized actomyosin sarcomeres of muscle fibers assemble. Although less well characterized, the microtubule cytoskeleton also undergoes dramatic rearrangement during myogenesis. The centrosome-nucleated microtubule array found in myoblasts is lost as the nuclear membrane acquires microtubule nucleating activity and microtubules emerge from multiple sites in the cell, eventually rearranging into a grid-like pattern in myotubes. In order to characterize perinuclear microtubule organization using a biochemically tractable system, we isolated nuclei from mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cells during the course of differentiation and incubated them in cytoplasmic extracts prepared from eggs of the frog Xenopus laevis. Whereas centrosomes associated with myoblast nuclei gave rise to radial microtubule arrays in extracts, myotube nuclei produced a sun-like pattern with microtubules transiently nucleating from the entire nuclear envelope. Perinuclear microtubule growth was suppressed by inhibition of Aurora A kinase or by degradation of RNA, treatments that also inhibited microtubule growth from sperm centrosomes. Myotube nuclei displayed microtubule motor-based movements leading to their separation, as occurs in myotubes. This in vitro assay therefore recapitulates key features of microtubule organization and nuclear movement observed during muscle cell differentiation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The ESCRT-0 subcomplex component Hrs/Hgs is a master regulator of myogenesis via modulation of signaling and degradation pathways

Background

Myogenesis is a highly regulated process ending with the formation of myotubes, the precursors of skeletal muscle fibers. Differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes is controlled by myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) that act as terminal effectors of signaling cascades involved in the temporal and spatial regulation of muscle development. Such signaling cascades converge and are controlled at the level of intracellular trafficking, but the mechanisms by which myogenesis is regulated by the endosomal machinery and trafficking is largely unexplored. The Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) machinery composed of four complexes ESCRT-0 to ESCRT-III regulates the biogenesis and trafficking of endosomes as well as the associated signaling and degradation pathways. Here, we investigate its role in regulating myogenesis.

Results

We uncovered a new function of the ESCRT-0 hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate Hrs/Hgs component in the regulation of myogenesis. Hrs depletion strongly impairs the differentiation of murine and human myoblasts. In the C2C12 murine myogenic cell line, inhibition of differentiation was attributed to impaired MRF in the early steps of differentiation. This alteration is associated with an upregulation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway and a downregulation of the Akt2 signaling both leading to the inhibition of differentiation. The myogenic repressors FOXO1 as well as GSK3β were also found to be both activated when Hrs was absent. Inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway or of GSK3β by the U0126 or azakenpaullone compounds respectively significantly restores the impaired differentiation observed in Hrs-depleted cells. In addition, functional autophagy that is required for myogenesis was also found to be strongly inhibited.

Conclusions

We show for the first time that Hrs/Hgs is a master regulator that modulates myogenesis at different levels through the control of trafficking, signaling, and degradation pathways.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-021-01091-4.

The many actions of insulin in skeletal muscle, the paramount tissue determining glycemia

As the principal tissue for insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, skeletal muscle is a primary driver of whole-body glycemic control. Skeletal muscle also uniquely responds to muscle contraction or exercise with increased sensitivity to subsequent insulin stimulation. Insulin's dominating control of glucose metabolism is orchestrated by complex and highly regulated signaling cascades that elicit diverse and unique effects on skeletal muscle. We discuss the discoveries that have led to our current understanding of how insulin promotes glucose uptake in muscle. We also touch upon insulin access to muscle, and insulin signaling toward glycogen, lipid, and protein metabolism. We draw from human and rodent studies in vivo, isolated muscle preparations, and muscle cell cultures to home in on the molecular, biophysical, and structural elements mediating these responses. Finally, we offer some perspective on molecular defects that potentially underlie the failure of muscle to take up glucose efficiently during obesity and type 2 diabetes.

HDAC6 regulates microtubule stability and clustering of AChRs at neuromuscular junctions

Microtubules (MTs) are known to be post-translationally modified at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), hence increasing their stability. To date however, the function(s) of the dynamic MT network and its relative stability in the formation and maintenance of NMJs remain poorly described. Stabilization of the MT is dependent in part on its acetylation status, and HDAC6 is capable of reversing this post-translational modification. Here, we report that HDAC6 preferentially accumulates at NMJs and that it contributes to the organization and the stability of NMJs. Indeed, pharmacological inhibition of HDAC6 protects against MT disorganization and reduces the size of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters. Moreover, the endogenous HDAC6 inhibitor paxillin interacts with HDAC6 in skeletal muscle cells, colocalizes with AChR aggregates, and regulates the formation of AChR. Our findings indicate that the focal insertion of AChRs into the postsynaptic membrane is regulated by stable MTs and highlight how an MT/HDAC6/paxillin axis participates in the regulation of AChR insertion and removal to control the structure of NMJs.

Microtubule Organization in Striated Muscle Cells

Distinctly organized microtubule networks contribute to the function of differentiated cell types such as neurons, epithelial cells, skeletal myotubes, and cardiomyocytes. In striated (i.e., skeletal and cardiac) muscle cells, the nuclear envelope acts as the dominant microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) and the function of the centrosome—the canonical MTOC of mammalian cells—is attenuated, a common feature of differentiated cell types. We summarize the mechanisms known to underlie MTOC formation at the nuclear envelope, discuss the significance of the nuclear envelope MTOC for muscle function and cell cycle progression, and outline potential mechanisms of centrosome attenuation.

A New Look at the Functional Organization of the Golgi Ribbon

A characteristic feature of vertebrate cells is a Golgi ribbon consisting of multiple cisternal stacks connected into a single-copy organelle next to the centrosome. Despite numerous studies, the mechanisms that link the stacks together and the functional significance of ribbon formation remain poorly understood. Nevertheless, these questions are of considerable interest, since there is increasing evidence that Golgi fragmentation – the unlinking of the stacks in the ribbon – is intimately connected not only to normal physiological processes, such as cell division and migration, but also to pathological states, including neurodegeneration and cancer. Challenging a commonly held view that ribbon architecture involves the formation of homotypic tubular bridges between the Golgi stacks, we present an alternative model, based on direct interaction between the biosynthetic (pre-Golgi) and endocytic (post-Golgi) membrane networks and their connection with the centrosome. We propose that the central domains of these permanent pre- and post-Golgi networks function together in the biogenesis and maintenance of the more transient Golgi stacks, and thereby establish “linker compartments” that dynamically join the stacks together. This model provides insight into the reversible fragmentation of the Golgi ribbon that takes place in dividing and migrating cells and its regulation along a cell surface – Golgi – centrosome axis. Moreover, it helps to understand transport pathways that either traverse or bypass the Golgi stacks and the positioning of the Golgi apparatus in differentiated neuronal, epithelial, and muscle cells.

Persistent upregulation of the β-tubulin tubb6, linked to muscle regeneration, is a source of microtubule disorganization in dystrophic muscle

In healthy adult skeletal muscle fibers microtubules form a three-dimensional grid-like network. In the mdx mouse, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), microtubules are mostly disordered, without periodicity. These microtubule defects have been linked to the mdx mouse pathology. We now report that increased expression of the beta 6 class V β-tubulin (tubb6) contributes to the microtubule changes of mdx muscles. Wild-type muscle fibers overexpressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tubb6 (but not GFP-tubb5) have disorganized microtubules whereas mdx muscle fibers depleted of tubb6 (but not of tubb5) normalize their microtubules, suggesting that increasing tubb6 is toxic. However, tubb6 increases spontaneously during differentiation of mouse and human muscle cultures. Furthermore, endogenous tubb6 is not uniformly expressed in mdx muscles but is selectively increased in fiber clusters, which we identify as regenerating. Similarly, mdx-based rescued transgenic mice that retain a higher than expected tubb6 level show focal expression of tubb6 in subsets of fibers. Tubb6 is also upregulated in cardiotoxin-induced mouse muscle regeneration, in human myositis and DMD biopsies, and the tubb6 level correlates with that of embryonic myosin heavy chain, a regeneration marker. In conclusion, modulation of a β-tubulin isotype plays a role in muscle differentiation and regeneration. Increased tubb6 expression and microtubule reorganization are not pathological per se but reflect a return to an earlier developmental stage. However, chronic elevation of tubb6, as occurs in the mdx mouse, may contribute to the repeated cycles of regeneration and to the pathology of the disease.

GM130 and p115 play a key role in the organisation of the early secretory pathway during skeletal muscle differentiation

Skeletal muscle (SKM) differentiation is a highly regulated process leading to the formation of specialised cells with reorganised compartments and organelles, such as those of the early secretory pathway. During SKM differentiation the Golgi complex (GC) redistributes close to the nuclear envelope and in small distinct peripheral structures distributed throughout the myotube. Concurrently, GC elements closely associate with endoplasmic reticulum-exit sites (ERES). The mechanisms underlying this reorganisation and its relevance for SKM differentiation are poorly understood. Here, we show, by time-lapse imaging studies, that the changes in GC organisation involve GC fragmentation and redistribution of ERES with the formation of tightly associated GC–ERES units. We show that knockdown of GM130 (also known as GOLGA2) or p115 (also known as USO1), two regulators of the early secretory pathway, impairs GC and ERES reorganisation. This in turn results in inhibition of myotube fusion and M-cadherin (also known as CDH15) transport to the sarcolemma. Taken together, our data suggest that the correct reorganisation of the early secretory pathway components plays an important role in SKM differentiation and, thus, associated pathologies.

Moving and positioning the nucleus in skeletal muscle - one step at a time

Nuclear movement and positioning within cells has become an area of great interest in the past few years due to the identification of different molecular mechanisms and functions in distinct organisms and contexts. One extreme example occurs during skeletal muscle development and regeneration. Skeletal muscles are composed of individual multinucleated myofibers with nuclei positioned at their periphery. Myofibers are formed by fusion of mononucleated myoblasts and during their development, successive nuclear movements and positioning events have been described. The position of the nuclei in myofibers is important for muscle function. Interestingly, during muscle regeneration and in some muscular diseases, nuclei are positioned in the center of the myofiber. In this review, we discuss the multiple mechanisms of nuclear positioning that occur during myofiber formation and regeneration. We also discuss the role of nuclear positioning for skeletal muscle function.

Right Time, Right Place: Probing the Functions of Organelle Positioning

The proper spatial arrangement of organelles underlies many cellular processes including signaling, polarization, and growth. Despite the importance of local positioning, the precise connection between subcellular localization and organelle function is often not fully understood. To address this, recent studies have developed and employed different strategies to directly manipulate organelle distributions, such as the use of (light-sensitive) heterodimerization to control the interaction between selected organelles and specific motor proteins, adaptor molecules, or anchoring factors. We review here the importance of subcellular localization as well as tools to control local organelle positioning. Because these approaches allow spatiotemporal control of organelle distribution, they will be invaluable tools to unravel local functioning and the mechanisms that control positioning.

Yip1B isoform is localized at ER-Golgi intermediate and cis-Golgi compartments and is not required for maintenance of the Golgi structure in skeletal muscle

The mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi complex (GC) traffic is conserved from yeast to higher animals, but the architectures and the dynamics of vesicles' traffic between ER and GC vary across cell types and species. Skeletal muscle is a unique tissue in which ER and GC undergo a structural reorganization during differentiation that completely remodels the secretory pathway. In mature skeletal muscle, the ER is turned into sarcoplasmic reticulum, which is composed of junctional and longitudinal regions specialized, respectively, in calcium release and uptake during contraction. During skeletal muscle differentiation, GC acquires a particular fragmented organization as it appears as spots both at the nuclear poles and along the fibers. The ubiquitary-expressed Yip1A isoform has been proposed to be involved in anterograde trafficking from the ER exit sites to the cis-side of the GC and in ER and GC architecture organization. We investigated the role of Yip1 in skeletal muscle. Here we report that, following skeletal muscle development, the expression of the Yip1A decreases and is replaced by the muscle-specific Yip1B isoform. Confocal microscope analysis revealed that in adult skeletal muscle the Yip1B isoform is localized in the ER-Golgi intermediate and cis-Golgi compartments. Finally, skeletal muscle knockdown experiments in vitro and in vivo suggested that Yip1B is not involved in GC structure maintenance.

Microtubules that form the stationary lattice of muscle fibers are dynamic and nucleated at Golgi elements

Live imaging reveals that muscle microtubules are highly dynamic and build a durable network nucleated by static Golgi elements.

Skeletal muscle microtubules (MTs) form a nonclassic grid-like network, which has so far been documented in static images only. We have now observed and analyzed dynamics of GFP constructs of MT and Golgi markers in single live fibers and in the whole mouse muscle in vivo. Using confocal, intravital, and superresolution microscopy, we find that muscle MTs are dynamic, growing at the typical speed of ∼9 µm/min, and forming small bundles that build a durable network. We also show that static Golgi elements, associated with the MT-organizing center proteins γ-tubulin and pericentrin, are major sites of muscle MT nucleation, in addition to the previously identified sites (i.e., nuclear membranes). These data give us a framework for understanding how muscle MTs organize and how they contribute to the pathology of muscle diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Golgin160 recruits the dynein motor to position the Golgi apparatus

Membrane motility is a fundamental characteristic of all eukaryotic cells. One of the best-known examples is that of the mammalian Golgi apparatus, where constant inward movement of Golgi membranes results in its characteristic position near the centrosome. While it is clear that the minus-end-directed motor dynein is required for this process, the mechanism and regulation of dynein recruitment to Golgi membranes remains unknown. Here, we show that the Golgi protein golgin160 recruits dynein to Golgi membranes. This recruitment confers centripetal motility to membranes and is regulated by the GTPase Arf1. Further, during cell division, motor association with membranes is regulated by the dissociation of the receptor-motor complex from membranes. These results identify a cell-cycle-regulated membrane receptor for a molecular motor and suggest a mechanistic basis for achieving the dramatic changes in organelle positioning seen during cell division.

A role for phospholipase D3 in myotube formation

Phospholipase D3 (PLD3) is a non-classical, poorly characterized member of the PLD superfamily of signaling enzymes. PLD3 is a type II glycoprotein associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, is expressed in a wide range of tissues and cells, and undergoes dramatic upregulation in neurons and muscle cells during differentiation. Using an in vitro skeletal muscle differentiation system, we define the ER-tethering mechanism and report that increased PLD3 expression enhances myotube formation, whereas a putatively dominant-negative PLD3 mutant isoform reduces myotube formation. ER stress, which also enhances myotube formation, is shown here to increase PLD3 expression levels. PLD3 protein was observed to localize to a restricted set of subcellular membrane sites in myotubes that may derive from or constitute a subdomain of the endoplasmic reticulum. These findings suggest that PLD3 plays a role in myogenesis during myotube formation, potentially in the events surrounding ER reorganization.

Who needs microtubules? Myogenic reorganization of MTOC, Golgi complex and ER exit sites persists despite lack of normal microtubule tracks

A wave of structural reorganization involving centrosomes, microtubules, Golgi complex and ER exit sites takes place early during skeletal muscle differentiation and completely remodels the secretory pathway. The mechanism of these changes and their functional implications are still poorly understood, in large part because all changes occur seemingly simultaneously. In an effort to uncouple the reorganizations, we have used taxol, nocodazole, and the specific GSK3-β inhibitor DW12, to disrupt the dynamic microtubule network of differentiating cultures of the mouse skeletal muscle cell line C2. Despite strong effects on microtubules, cell shape and cell fusion, none of the treatments prevented early differentiation. Redistribution of centrosomal proteins, conditional on differentiation, was in fact increased by taxol and nocodazole and normal in DW12. Redistributions of Golgi complex and ER exit sites were incomplete but remained tightly linked under all circumstances, and conditional on centrosomal reorganization. We were therefore able to uncouple microtubule reorganization from the other events and to determine that centrosomal proteins lead the reorganization hierarchy. In addition, we have gained new insight into structural and functional aspects of the reorganization of microtubule nucleation during myogenesis.

Golgi export of the Kir2.1 channel is driven by a trafficking signal located within its tertiary structure

Mechanisms that are responsible for sorting newly synthesized proteins for traffic to the cell surface from the Golgi are poorly understood. Here, we show that the potassium channel Kir2.1, mutations in which are associated with Andersen-Tawil syndrome, is selected as cargo into Golgi export carriers in an unusual signal-dependent manner. Unlike conventional trafficking signals, which are typically comprised of short linear peptide sequences, Golgi exit of Kir2.1 is dictated by residues that are embedded within the confluence of two separate domains. This signal patch forms a recognition site for interaction with the AP1 adaptor complex, thereby marking Kir2.1 for incorporation into clathrin-coated vesicles at the trans-Golgi. The identification of a trafficking signal in the tertiary structure of Kir2.1 reveals a quality control step that couples protein conformation to Golgi export and provides molecular insight into how mutations in Kir2.1 arrest the channels at the Golgi.

Golgi positioning

The Golgi apparatus in mammalian cells is positioned near the centrosome-based microtubule-organizing center (Fig. 1). Secretory cargo moves inward in membrane carriers for delivery to Golgi membranes in which it is processed and packaged for transport outward to the plasma membrane. Cytoplasmic dynein motor proteins (herein termed dynein) primarily mediate inward cargo carrier movement and Golgi positioning. These motors move along microtubules toward microtubule minus-ends embedded in centrosomes. Centripetal motility is controlled by a host of regulators whose precise functions remain to be determined. Significantly, a specific Golgi receptor for dynein has not been identified. This has impaired progress toward elucidation of membrane-motor-microtubule attachment in the periphery and, after inward movement, recycling of the motor for another round. Pericentrosomal positioning of the Golgi apparatus is dynamic. It is regulated during critical cellular processes such as mitosis, differentiation, cell polarization, and cell migration. Positioning is also important as it aligns the Golgi along an axis of cell polarity. In certain cell types, this promotes secretion directed to the proximal plasma membrane domain thereby maintaining specializations critical for diverse processes including wound healing, immunological synapse formation, and axon determination.

Microtubule plus-end binding protein EB1 is necessary for muscle cell differentiation, elongation and fusion

During muscle differentiation, microtubule stability, nucleation and orientation all undergo profound changes, which are simultaneous with and possibly necessary for the elongation and fusion of muscle cells. We do not yet understand these events, but they present similarities with the polarized migration of fibroblasts, in which EB1 is necessary for microtubule stabilization. However, it was recently reported that EB3, not EB1, is involved in muscle cell elongation and fusion, and that neither of these two proteins influences microtubule stabilization. To re-examine the role of EB1, we have generated C2 cell lines permanently expressing EB1-targeted shRNAs. In these lines, EB1 is specifically knocked down by more than 90% before any differentiation-related changes can take place. We find that differentiation (assessed by myogenin expression), elongation and fusion are prevented. In addition, two early events that normally precede differentiation - microtubule stabilization and the accumulation of cadherin and beta-catenin on the plasma membrane - are inhibited. Re-expression of EB1 as EB1-GFP restores all aspects of normal differentiation, whereas overexpression of EB3-GFP restores elongation but not fusion. We conclude that EB1 is necessary for the early stages of muscle differentiation.

Meta-analysis of expression signatures of muscle atrophy: gene interaction networks in early and late stages

Background

Skeletal muscle mass can be markedly reduced through a process called atrophy, as a consequence of many diseases or critical physiological and environmental situations. Atrophy is characterised by loss of contractile proteins and reduction of fiber volume. Although in the last decade the molecular aspects underlying muscle atrophy have received increased attention, the fine mechanisms controlling muscle degeneration are still incomplete. In this study we applied meta-analysis on gene expression signatures pertaining to different types of muscle atrophy for the identification of novel key regulatory signals implicated in these degenerative processes.

Results

We found a general down-regulation of genes involved in energy production and carbohydrate metabolism and up-regulation of genes for protein degradation and catabolism. Six functional pathways occupy central positions in the molecular network obtained by the integration of atrophy transcriptome and molecular interaction data. They are TGF-β pathway, apoptosis, membrane trafficking/cytoskeleton organization, NFKB pathways, inflammation and reorganization of the extracellular matrix. Protein degradation pathway is evident only in the network specific for muscle short-term response to atrophy. TGF-β pathway plays a central role with proteins SMAD3/4, MYC, MAX and CDKN1A in the general network, and JUN, MYC, GNB2L1/RACK1 in the short-term muscle response network.

Conclusion

Our study offers a general overview of the molecular pathways and cellular processes regulating the establishment and maintenance of atrophic state in skeletal muscle, showing also how the different pathways are interconnected. This analysis identifies novel key factors that could be further investigated as potential targets for the development of therapeutic treatments. We suggest that the transcription factors SMAD3/4, GNB2L1/RACK1, MYC, MAX and JUN, whose functions have been extensively studied in tumours but only marginally in muscle, appear instead to play important roles in regulating muscle response to atrophy.

Lysosome dispersion in osteoblasts accommodates enhanced collagen production during differentiation

Lysosomes are essential organelles for intracellular degradation and are generally sequestered near the cell center to receive vesicles with contents targeted for destruction. During ascorbic acid (AA)-induced differentiation of osteogenic cells ( Beck, G. R., Jr., Zerler, B., and Moran, E. (2001) Cell Growth Differ. 12, 61-83 ), we saw a marked increase in total lysosome organelles in osteoblastic cells, in addition to an enhanced endocytic rate. Interestingly, lysosomes were dispersed toward the cell periphery in differentiating osteoblasts. We determined that lysosome dispersion in differentiated osteoblasts required intact microtubules for long range transport and was dependent on kinesin motors but did not involve cytosolic acidification. Impairment of lysosome dispersion markedly reduced AA-induced osteoblast differentiation. Lysosomes were not secreted in differentiated osteoblasts, implicating them instead in intracellular degradation. We assayed the degradative capacity and saw a significant increase in DQ-ovalbumin fluorescence in differentiated osteogenic cells compared with undifferentiated control cells. Osteogenic cells are specialized for type I collagen production, and we noted enhanced secreted and intracellular collagen in AA-differentiated osteoblasts versus control cells. Importantly, osteoblasts displayed procollagen-containing vesicles that were distributed throughout the cytoplasm, a portion of which colocalized with lysosomes. Treatment of cells with 2,2'-dipyridyl to inhibit procollagen trimerization enhanced colocalization of lysosomes with procollagen-containing organelles, implicating dispersed lysosomes in collagen processing in osteogenic cells.

Functional role of sortilin in myogenesis and development of insulin-responsive glucose transport system in C2C12 myocytes

Sortilin has been implicated in the formation of insulin-responsive GLUT4 storage vesicles in adipocytes by regulating sorting events between the trans-Golgi-network and endosomes. We herein show that sortilin serves as a potent myogenic differentiation stimulator for C2C12 myocytes by cooperatively functioning with p75NTR, which subsequently further contributes to development of the insulin-responsive glucose transport system in C2C12 myotubes. Sortilin expression was up-regulated upon C2C12 differentiation, and overexpression of sortilin in C2C12 cells significantly stimulated myogenic differentiation, a response that was completely abolished by either anti-p75NTR- or anti-nerve growth factor (NGF)-neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, small interference RNA-mediated suppression of endogenous sortilin significantly inhibited C2C12 differentiation, indicating the physiological significance of sortilin expression in the process of myogenesis. Although sortilin overexpression in C2C12 myotubes improved insulin-induced 2-deoxyglucose uptake, as previously reported, this effect apparently resulted from a decrease in the cellular content of GLUT1 and an increase in GLUT4 via differentiation-dependent alterations at both the gene transcriptional and the post-translational level. In addition, cellular contents of Ubc9 and SUMO-modified proteins appeared to be increased by sortilin overexpression. Taken together, these data demonstrate that sortilin is involved not only in development of the insulin-responsive glucose transport system in myocytes, but is also directly involved in muscle differentiation via modulation of proNGF-p75NTR.

Membrane traffic and muscle: lessons from human disease

Like all mammalian tissues, skeletal muscle is dependent on membrane traffic for proper development and homeostasis. This fact is underscored by the observation that several human diseases of the skeletal muscle are caused by mutations in gene products of the membrane trafficking machinery. An examination of these diseases and the proteins that underlie them is instructive both in terms of determining disease pathogenesis and of understanding the normal aspects of muscle biology regulated by membrane traffic. This review highlights our current understanding of the trafficking genes responsible for human myopathies.

Golgi complex organization in skeletal muscle: a role for Golgi-mediated glycosylation in muscular dystrophies?

The Golgi complex (GC) is the central organelle of the classical secretory pathway, and it receives, modifies and packages proteins and lipids en route to their intracellular or extracellular destinations. Recent studies of congenital muscular dystrophies in skeletal muscle suggest an exciting new role for an old and well-established function of the GC: glycosylation. Glycosylation is the exquisitely regulated enzymatic addition of nucleotide sugars to proteins and lipids mediated by glycosyltransferases (GTs). Mutations in putative Golgi-resident GTs, fukutin, fukutin-related protein and large1 cause these progressive muscle-wasting diseases. The appropriate localization of GTs to specific subcompartments of the Golgi is critical for the correct assembly line-like addition of glycan groups to proteins and lipids as they pass through the GC. Consequently, these studies of congenital muscular dystrophies have focused attention on the organization and function of the GC in skeletal muscle. In contrast to other cells and tissues, the GC in skeletal muscle has received relatively little attention; however, in recent years, several studies have shown that GC distribution in muscle is highly dynamic or plastic and adopts different distributions in muscle cells undergoing myogenesis, denervation, regeneration and maturation. Here, we review the current understanding of the dynamic regulation of GC organization in skeletal muscle and focus on the targeting of fukutin, fukutin-related protein and large1 to the GC in muscle cells.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 regulates matrix metalloproteinase activity during newt limb regeneration

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity is important for newt limb regeneration. In most biological processes that require MMP function, MMP activity is tightly controlled by a variety of mechanisms, including the coexpression of natural inhibitors. Here, we show that gene expression of one such inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (NvTIMP1), is upregulated during the wound healing and dedifferentiation stages of regeneration when several MMPs are at their maximal expression levels. Newt MMPs and NvTIMP1 also exhibit similar spatial expression patterns during the early stages of limb regeneration. NvTIMP1 inhibits the proteolytic activity of regeneration-related newt MMPs and, like human TIMP1, can induce a weak mitogenic response in certain cell types. These results suggest that NvTIMP1 may be functioning primarily to maintain optimal levels of MMP activity during the early stages of limb regeneration, while possibly serving a secondary role as a mitogen.

Transgenic mouse line with green-fluorescent protein-labeled Centrin 2 allows visualization of the centrosome in living cells

The centrosome plays diverse roles throughout the cellular mitotic cycle and in post-mitotic cells. Analysis of centrosome position and dynamics in living murine cells has been limited due to a lack of adequate reporters and currently requires either cell fixation/immunostaining or transfection with centrosome reporters. Here we describe the generation and characterization of a transgenic mouse line that constitutively expresses green fluorescent protein-labeled Centrin-2 (GFP-CETN2). The phenotype of the mouse is indistinguishable from wild-type and it displays a single pair of fluorescent centrioles in cells of every organ and time point examined. This model will be helpful for visualizing the centrosome in multiple experimental conditions.

Membrane traffic in skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle tissue is made up of highly organized multinuclear cells. The internal organization of the muscle cell is dictated by the necessary regular arrangement of repeated units within the protein myofibrils that mediate muscle contraction. Skeletal muscle cells have the usual membrane traffic pathways for partitioning newly synthesized proteins, internalizing cell surface receptors for hormones and nutrients, and mediating membrane repair. However, in muscle, these pathways must be further specialized to deal with targeting to and organizing muscle-specific membrane structures, satisfying the unique metabolic requirements of muscle and meeting the high demand for membrane repair in a tissue that is constantly under mechanical stress. Specialized membrane traffic pathways in muscle also play a role in the formation of muscle through fusion of myoblast membranes and the development of internal muscle-specific membrane structures during myogenesis and regeneration. It has recently become apparent that muscle-specific isoforms of proteins that are known to mediate ubiquitous membrane traffic pathways, as well as novel muscle-specific proteins, are involved in tissue-specific aspects of muscle membrane traffic. Here we describe the specialized membrane structures of skeletal muscle, how these are developed, maintained and repaired by specialized and generic membrane traffic pathways, and how defects in these pathways result in muscle disease.

Vesicle budding from endoplasmic reticulum is involved in calsequestrin routing to sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscles

CS (calsequestrin) is an acidic glycoprotein of the SR (sarcoplasmic reticulum) lumen and plays a crucial role in the storage of Ca2+ and in excitation-contraction coupling of skeletal muscles. CS is synthesized in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) and is targeted to the TC (terminal cisternae) of SR via mechanisms still largely unknown, but probably involving vesicle transport through the Golgi complex. In the present study, two mutant forms of Sar1 and ARF1 (ADP-ribosylation factor 1) were used to disrupt cargo exit from ER-exit sites and intra-Golgi trafficking in skeletal-muscle fibres respectively. Co-expression of Sar1-H79G (His79-->Gly) and recombinant, epitope-tagged CS, CSHA1 (where HA1 stands for nine-amino-acid epitope of the viral haemagglutinin 1), barred segregation of CSHA1 to TC. On the other hand, expression of ARF1-N126I altered the subcellular localization of GM130, a cis -medial Golgi protein in skeletal-muscle fibres and myotubes, without interfering with CSHA1 targeting to either TC or developing SR. Thus active budding from ER-exit sites appears to be involved in CS targeting and routing, but these processes are insensitive to modification of intracellular vesicle trafficking and Golgi complex disruption caused by the mutant ARF1-N126I. It also appears that CS routing from ER to SR does not involve classical secretory pathways through ER-Golgi intermediate compartments, cis -medial Golgi and trans -Golgi network.

Eukaryotic cells and their cell bodies: Cell Theory revised

BACKGROUND

Cell Theory, also known as cell doctrine, states that all eukaryotic organisms are composed of cells, and that cells are the smallest independent units of life. This Cell Theory has been influential in shaping the biological sciences ever since, in 1838/1839, the botanist Matthias Schleiden and the zoologist Theodore Schwann stated the principle that cells represent the elements from which all plant and animal tissues are constructed. Some 20 years later, in a famous aphorism Omnis cellula e cellula, Rudolf Virchow annunciated that all cells arise only from pre-existing cells. General acceptance of Cell Theory was finally possible only when the cellular nature of brain tissues was confirmed at the end of the 20th century. Cell Theory then rapidly turned into a more dogmatic cell doctrine, and in this form survives up to the present day. In its current version, however, the generalized Cell Theory developed for both animals and plants is unable to accommodate the supracellular nature of higher plants, which is founded upon a super-symplasm of interconnected cells into which is woven apoplasm, symplasm and super-apoplasm. Furthermore, there are numerous examples of multinucleate coenocytes and syncytia found throughout the eukaryote superkingdom posing serious problems for the current version of Cell Theory.

SCOPE

To cope with these problems, we here review data which conform to the original proposal of Daniel Mazia that the eukaryotic cell is composed of an elemental Cell Body whose structure is smaller than the cell and which is endowed with all the basic attributes of a living entity. A complement to the Cell Body is the Cell Periphery Apparatus, which consists of the plasma membrane associated with other periphery structures. Importantly, boundary structures of the Cell Periphery Apparatus, although capable of some self-assembly, are largely produced and maintained by Cell Body activities and can be produced from it de novo. These boundary structures serve not only as mechanical support for the Cell Bodies but they also protect them from the hostile external environment and from inappropriate interactions with adjacent Cell Bodies within the organism.

CONCLUSIONS

From the evolutionary perspective, Cell Bodies of eukaryotes are proposed to represent vestiges of hypothetical, tubulin-based 'guest' proto-cells. After penetrating the equally hypothetical actin-based 'host' proto-cells, tubulin-based 'guests' became specialized for transcribing, storing and partitioning DNA molecules via the organization of microtubules. The Cell Periphery Apparatus, on the other hand, represents vestiges of the actin-based 'host' proto-cells which have become specialized for Cell Body protection, shape control, motility and for actin-mediated signalling across the plasma membrane.

Reorganization of microtubule nucleation during muscle differentiation

Skeletal muscle differentiation involves a complete reorganization of the microtubule network. Nearly 20 years ago, Tassin et al. [1985: J Cell Biol 100:35-46] suggested a mechanism for this reorganization by showing a redistribution of the microtubule organizing center from the centrosome to the nuclear membrane. Little progress has been made since. It is still not clear whether centrosomal proteins are redistributed together, whether microtubules are nucleated at the nuclear membrane or transported there post-nucleation, and whether gamma-tubulin (gammatub) remains necessary for nucleation in myotubes. To investigate these questions, we have examined the redistribution of the centrosomal proteins pericentrin (PC), gammatub, and ninein in the C2 muscle cell line. Immunofluorescence of differentiated myotubes shows PC along the nuclear membrane whereas gammatub is only detected there after pre-fixation detergent extraction. After expression of a GFP-tagged gammatub, we observe a weak fluorescence along the nuclear membrane, confirming the presence of gammatub at a low concentration relative to PC. Microinjection of anti-gammatub antibodies into myotubes blocks microtubule growth from both nuclear membranes and centrosomal sites. The centrosomal microtubule-anchoring protein, ninein, is found at the nuclear membrane as well and its distribution appears independent of microtubule integrity. We conclude that centrosomal proteins are redistributed independently during muscle differentiation, to sites that nucleate microtubules both along the nuclear membranes and through the cytoplasm.

HDL-mediated cholesterol uptake and targeting to lipid droplets in adipocytes

Adipocytes express high levels of the HDL scavenger receptor class B type I in a differentiation-dependent manner. We thus have analyzed the routes of HDL cholesterol trafficking at different phases of adipocyte differentiation in the 3T3-L1 cell line. One novel and salient feature of this paper is the observation of a widespread distribution in the cell cytoplasm of Golgi markers, caveolin-2, and a fluorescent cholesterol analog NBD-cholesterol (NBD-chol), observed in the early phases of adipocyte formation, clearly distinct from that observed in mature fat cells (i.e., with fully formed lipid vesicles). Thus, in cells without visible lipid droplets, Golgi markers (Golgi 58K, Golgin 97, trans-Golgi network 38, Rab 6, and BODIPY-ceramide), caveolin-2, and NBD-chol all colocalize in a widespread distribution in the cell. In contrast, when lipid droplets are fully formed at latter stages, these markers clearly are distributed to distinct cell compartments: a compact juxtanuclear structure for the Golgi markers and caveolin-2, while NDB-chol concentrates in lipid droplets. In addition, disorganization of the Golgi using three different agents (Brefeldin, monensin, and N-ethyl-maleimide) drastically reduces NBD-chol uptake at different phases of adipocyte formation, strongly suggesting that the Golgi apparatus plays a critical role in HDL-mediated NBD uptake and routing to lipid droplets.

Disruption of microtubules in rat skeletal muscle does not inhibit insulin- or contraction-stimulated glucose transport

Insulin and muscle contractions stimulate glucose transport in skeletal muscle through a translocation of intracellular GLUT4 glucose transporters to the cell surface. Judged by immunofluorescence microscopy, part of the GLUT4 storage sites is associated with the extensive microtubule cytoskeleton found in all muscle fibers. Here, we test whether microtubules are required mediators of the effect of insulin and contractions. In three different incubated rat muscles with distinct fiber type composition, depolymerization of microtubules with colchicine for < or =8 h did not inhibit insulin- or contraction-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose transport or force production. On the contrary, colchicine at least partially prevented the approximately 30% decrease in insulin-stimulated transport that specifically developed during 8 h of incubation in soleus muscle but not in flexor digitorum brevis or epitrochlearis muscles. In contrast, nocodazole, another microtubule-disrupting drug, rapidly and dose dependently blocked insulin- and contraction-stimulated glucose transport. A similar discrepancy between colchicine and nocodazole was also found in their ability to block glucose transport in muscle giant "ghost" vesicles. This suggests that the ability of insulin and contractions to stimulate glucose transport in muscle does not require an intact microtubule network and that nocodazole inhibits glucose transport independently of its microtubule-disrupting effect.

The minus end in sight

Microtubules are intrinsically polar structures. A consequence of this polarity is that the two ends of the microtubule polymer exhibit different properties. The more dynamic plus ends and the mechanisms that regulate their behavior have been the focus of much recent attention. Here, we concentrate on the dynamics and regulation of minus ends, which play distinct but equally critical roles in microtubule function. In the first part of this review, we compare the in vitro and in vivo behavior of microtubules from a minus end perspective. This comparison suggests that cells possess conserved mechanisms to specifically inhibit minus end polymerization, and perhaps also to actively promote depolymerization. In the second part, we focus on the spatial positioning of minus ends, which is achieved by localized microtubule nucleation, minus end capping and minus end anchoring as well as by motor-dependent sorting. These mechanisms are used in different biological contexts to generate the diversity of organized microtubule arrays in cells.

Shape and position of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus in the sole plate and remaining subsarcolemmal muscle region of the mouse using imidazole-osmium staining

By means of thin (< or =150 nm) and thick (>150 nm) sections, the shape and position of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and of the Golgi apparatus in the sole plate and in the remaining subsarcolemmal sarcoplasmic region were investigated. For this purpose the membranes were stained by means of imidazole-osmium postfixation and unstained sections analyzed under the electron microscope. Both in the sarcoplasma of the sole plate and around the muscle fiber nuclei, a network of tubules is visible after imidazole-osmium staining which can be identified as the sarcoplasmic reticulum solely on the basis of its contacts with the perinuclear cistern and the cisterns of the triads. Findings in literature on the position of the Golgi apparatus are confirmed and similar spatial relationships and vesiculations between the perinuclear cisterns and the Golgi apparatus of the sole plate nuclei and the other subsarcolemmal fiber nuclei are also demonstrated using this new staining method.

The architecture of microtubular network and Golgi orientation in osteoclasts--major differences between avian and mammalian species

In the present study, we analyze multinuclear osteoclasts obtained from several avian and mammalian species and describe the reorganization of their microtubular architecture and Golgi complex orientation during osteoclast differentiation and activation for bone resorption. In nonresorbing quail and chicken multinuclear osteoclasts, microtubules radiate from multiple centrosomal microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs), whose number is equal to the number of nuclei. However, centrosomal MTOCs disappear at the time of cell activation for bone resorption and the Golgi membranes redistribute to circumscribe nuclei. In contrast to avian osteoclasts, both resorbing and nonresorbing rat, rabbit, and human osteoclasts have no or few centrosomal MTOCs. Instead, after cold-induced depolymerization, regrowing microtubules nucleate from the perinuclear area where immunofluoresce and immunoelectron scanning microscopy reveal pericentriolar matrix protein pericentrin associated with vimentin filaments. Furthermore, the circumnuclear reorganization of MTOCs and the Golgi is a result of mammalian osteoclast maturation and occur before any resorptive activity of the mononuclear osteoclasts and their fusion into multinucleated cells. Our results show that unlike previously suggested, the nuclear surfaces of mammalian osteoclasts act as the microtubule anchoring sites similarly to nuclear surfaces in multinucleated myotubes and suggest the role of perinuclear intermediate filament network in orchestrating the microtubular cytoskeleton.

Microtubule assembly in cultured myoblasts and myotubes following nocodazole induced microtubule depolymerisation

When myoblasts fuse into myotubes, the organisation of the cytoskeleton changes dramatically. For example, microtubules emanate in a radial array form the centrosome in myoblasts, but form linear arrays not linked to a centrosome in myotubes. It is not clear how these linear arrays are formed and nucleated. They could arise in a number of ways: by nucleation and release from centrosomal like structures, cytoplasmic assembly, breakage/severing or nucleation from non-centrosomal sites. To test which of the above mechanisms or combination of mechanisms are responsible we investigated the re-formation of microtubules after depolymerisation by nocodazole, using antibodies against pericentrin, gamma-tubulin, EB1, and tyrosinated alpha-tubulin. In myoblasts, we found that when microtubules were allowed to recover after complete depolymerisation with nocodazole, microtubule recovery began within 1 min and was complete after 5 min. Microtubules grew out from the centrosome, which was positively stained for gamma-tubulin or pericentrin. In untreated myotubes, microtubules were arranged in linear arrays, with EB1 at their ends. The pericentriolar protein, pericentrin was arranged in a band around the nucleus as well as discrete spots in the cytoplasm. In contrast, the microtubule nucleating protein gamma-tubulin was not found in a band around the nucleus, but was found in several punctuate spots throughout the cytoplasm. Further, when microtubules were allowed to recover, after complete depolymerisation with nocodazole, recovery was not as rapid as that seen in myoblasts, and we found that regrowth began with the formation of short microtubule fragments throughout the cytoplasm. Gamma-tubulin was associated with these fragments. These results suggest that in myotubes, nucleation of microtubules can be non-centrosomal.

Golgi complex reorganization during muscle differentiation: visualization in living cells and mechanism

During skeletal muscle differentiation, the Golgi complex (GC) undergoes a dramatic reorganization. We have now visualized the differentiation and fusion of living myoblasts of the mouse muscle cell line C2, permanently expressing a mannosidase-green fluorescent protein (GFP) construct. These experiments reveal that the reorganization of the GC is progressive (1-2 h) and is completed before the cells start fusing. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), immunofluorescence, and immunogold electron microscopy demonstrate that the GC is fragmented into elements localized near the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exit sites. FRAP analysis and the ER relocation of endogenous GC proteins by phospholipase A2 inhibitors demonstrate that Golgi-ER cycling of resident GC proteins takes place in both myoblasts and myotubes. All results support a model in which the GC reorganization in muscle reflects changes in the Golgi-ER cycling. The mechanism is similar to that leading to the dispersal of the GC caused, in all mammalian cells, by microtubule-disrupting drugs. We propose that the trigger for the dispersal results, in muscle, from combined changes in microtubule nucleation and ER exit site localization, which place the ER exit sites near microtubule minus ends. Thus, changes in GC organization that initially appear specific to muscle cells, in fact use pathways common to all mammalian cells.

Vear, a novel Golgi-associated protein, is preferentially expressed in type I cells in skeletal muscle

Vear is a novel Golgi-associated protein with a domain structure characteristic of many vesicular transport-associated proteins. It has been suggested that Vear is involved in vesicle transport through trans-Golgi. In this study, we have determined the localization of Vear in skeletal muscle. The staining for Vear in normal human muscle revealed a distribution pattern similar to that of type I fibers. We conclude that Vear is preferentially expressed in type I fibers in human muscle, presumably indicative of a specific function that remains to be identified.

Expression and partial characterization of kinesin-related proteins in differentiating and adult skeletal muscle

Using pan-kinesin antibodies to screen a differentiating C2C12 cell library, we identified the kinesin proteins KIF3A, KIF3B, and conventional kinesin heavy chain to be present in differentiating skeletal muscle. We compared the expression and subcellular localization characteristics of these kinesins in myogenic cells to others previously identified in muscle, neuronal, and mitotic systems (KIF1C, KIF3C, and mitotic-centromere-associated kinesin). Because members of the KIF3 subfamily of kinesin-related proteins showed altered subcellular fractionation characteristics in differentiating cells, we focused our study of kinesins in muscle on the function of kinesin-II. Kinesin-II is a motor complex comprised of dimerized KIF3A and KIF3B proteins and a tail-associated protein, KAP. The Xenopus homologue of KIF3B, Xklp3, is predominantly localized to the region of the Golgi apparatus, and overexpression of motorless-Xklp3 in Xenopus A6 cells causes mislocalization of Golgi components (). In C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes, KIF3B is diffuse and punctate, and not primarily associated with the Golgi. Overexpression of motorless-KIF3B does not perturb localization of Golgi components in myogenic cells, and myofibrillogenesis is normal. In adult skeletal muscle, KIF3B colocalizes with the excitation-contraction-coupling membranes. We propose that these membranes, consisting of the transverse-tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum, are dynamic structures in which kinesin-II may function to actively assemble and maintain in myogenic cells.

Site-directed mutagenesis and deletion of three phosphorylation sites of calsequestrin of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Effects on intracellular targeting

Calsequestrin (CS) is segregated to the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (jSR) of skeletal muscle fibers and is responsible for intraluminal Ca(2+) binding. A chimeric CS-HA1, obtained by adding the nine-amino-acid viral epitope hemagglutinin (HA1) to the carboxy-terminal of CS and shown to be correctly segregated to skeletal muscle jSR in vivo (A. Nori, K. A. Nadalini, A. Martini, R. Rizzuto, A. Villa, and P. Volpe, 1997, Am. J. Physiol. 272, C1420-C1428), is mutagenized in order to identify domains of CS involved in targeting. Since a putative targeting mechanism of CS implies phosphorylation-dependent steps in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and/or Golgi complex, five CS-HA1 mutants disrupting the three phosphorylation sites of CS (Thr(189), Thr(229), and Thr(353)) were engineered by either site-directed mutagenesis or deletion: CS-HA1DeltaP1 (Thr(189) --> Ile); CS-HA1DeltaP2 (Thr(229) --> Asn); CS-HA1DeltaP1,2; in which Thr(189) and Thr(229) were changed to Ile and Asn, respectively; and CS-HA1Delta14(COOH) and CS-HA1Delta49 (COOH), in which 14 residues (Glu(354)-Asp(367)) and 49 residues (Asp(319)-Asp(367)), respectively, were deleted at the carboxy-terminal. Mutant cDNAs were transiently transfected in either HeLa cells, cultured myoblasts of rat skeletal muscle, or regenerating soleus muscle fibers of adult rats. Each CS-HA1 mutant was identified by Western blot as a single polypeptide of the predicted molecular weight. The intracellular localization of CS-HA1 mutants was studied by immunofluorescence using specific antibodies against either CS or HA1. CS-HA1 mutants colocalized with ER markers, e.g., calreticulin, and partially overlapped with Golgi complex markers, e.g., alpha-mannosidase II, in HeLa cells and myotubes. CS-HA1 mutants were expressed and retained in ER and ER/SR of HeLa cells and myotubes, respectively, and correctly segregated to jSR of regenerating soleus muscle fibers. Thus, the targeting mechanism of CS in vivo is not affected by phosphorylation(s); i.e., sorting and segregation of CS appear to be independent of posttranslational phosphorylation(s).

The organization of the Golgi complex and microtubules in skeletal muscle is fiber type-dependent

Skeletal muscle has a nonconventional Golgi complex (GC), the organization of which has been a subject of controversy in the past. We have now examined the distribution of the GC by immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy in whole fibers from different rat muscles, both innervated and experimentally denervated. The total number of GC elements, small polarized stacks of cisternae, is quite similar in all fibers, but their intracellular distribution is fiber type-dependent. Thus, in slow-twitch, type I fibers, approximately 75% of all GC elements are located within 1 micrometer from the plasma membrane, and each nucleus is surrounded by a belt of GC elements. In contrast, in the fast-twitch type IIB fibers, most GC elements are in the fiber core, and most nuclei only have GC elements at their poles. Intermediate, type IIA fibers also have an intermediate distribution of GC elements. Interestingly, the distribution of microtubules, with which GC elements colocalize, is fiber type-dependent as well. At the neuromuscular junction, the distribution of GC elements and microtubules is independent of fiber type, and junctional nuclei are surrounded by GC elements in all fibers. After denervation of the hindlimb muscles, GC elements as well as microtubules converge toward a common pattern, that of the slow-twitch fibers, in all fibers. Our data suggest that innervation regulates the distribution of microtubules, which in turn organize the Golgi complex according to muscle fiber type.

Endocytosis in skeletal muscle fibers

Defining the organization of endocytic pathway in multinucleated skeletal myofibers is crucial to understand the routing of membrane proteins, such as receptors and glucose transporters, through this system. Here we analyzed the organization of the endocytic trafficking pathways in isolated rat myofibers. We found that sarcolemmal-coated pits and transferrin receptors were concentrated in the I band areas. Fluid phase markers were taken up into vesicles in the same areas along the whole length of the fibers and were then delivered into structures around and between the nuclei. These markers also accumulated beneath the neuromuscular and myotendinous junctions. The recycling compartment, labeled with transferrin, appeared as perinuclear and interfibrillar dots that partially colocalized with the GLUT4 compartment. Low-density lipoprotein, a marker of the lysosome-directed pathway, was transported into sparsely distributed perinuclear and interfibrillar dots that contacted microtubules. A majority of these dots did not colocalize with internalized transferrin, indicating that the recycling and the lysosome-directed pathways were distinct. In conclusion, the I band areas were active in endocytosis along the whole length of the multinucleated myofibers. The sorting endosomes distributed in a cross-striated fashion while the recycling and late endosomal compartments showed perinuclear and interfibrillar localizations and followed the course of microtubules.