Excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle fibres of rat and toad in the presence of GTP gamma S

In vivo expression of G-protein beta1gamma2 dimer in adult mouse skeletal muscle alters L-type calcium current and excitation-contraction coupling

A number of G-protein-coupled receptors are expressed in skeletal muscle but their roles in muscle physiology and downstream effector systems remain poorly investigated. Here we explored the functional importance of the G-protein betagamma (Gbetagamma) signalling pathway on voltage-controlled Ca(2+) homeostasis in single isolated adult skeletal muscle fibres. A GFP-tagged Gbeta(1)gamma(2) dimer was expressed in vivo in mice muscle fibres. The GFP fluorescence pattern was consistent with a Gbeta(1)gamma(2) dimer localization in the transverse-tubule membrane. Membrane current and indo-1 fluorescence measurements performed under voltage-clamp conditions reveal a drastic reduction of both L-type Ca(2+) current density and of peak amplitude of the voltage-activated Ca(2+) transient in Gbeta(1)gamma(2)-expressing fibres. These effects were not observed upon expression of Gbeta(2)gamma(2), Gbeta(3)gamma(2) or Gbeta(4)gamma(2). Our data suggest that the G-protein beta(1)gamma(2) dimer may play an important regulatory role in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling.

Effect of ADP on slow-twitch muscle fibres of the rat: implications for muscle fatigue

Slow-twitch mechanically skinned fibres from rat soleus muscle were bathed in solutions mimicking the myoplasmic environment but containing different [ADP] (0.1 microm to 1.0 mm). The effect of ADP on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-content was determined from the magnitude of caffeine-induced force responses, while temporal changes in SR Ca2+-content allowed determination of the effective rates of the SR Ca2+-pump and of the SR Ca2+-leak. The SR Ca2+-pump rate, estimated at pCa (-log10[Ca2+]) 7.8, was reduced by 20% as the [ADP] was increased from 0.1 to 40 microm, with no further alteration when the [ADP] was increased to 1.0 mm. The SR Ca2+-leak rate constant was not altered by increasing [ADP] from 0.1 to 40 microm, but was increased by 26% when the [ADP] was elevated to 1.0 mm. This ADP-induced SR Ca2+-leak was insensitive to ruthenium red but was abolished by 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone (TBQ), indicating that the leak pathway is via the SR Ca2+-pump and not the SR Ca2+-release channel. The decrease in SR Ca2+-pump rate and SR Ca2+-leak rate when [ADP] was increased led to a 40% decrease in SR Ca2+-loading capacity. Elevation of [ADP] had only minor direct effects on the contractile apparatus of slow-twitch fibres. These results suggest that ADP has only limited depressing effects on the contractility of slow-twitch muscle fibres. This is in contrast to the marked effects of ADP on force responses in fast-twitch muscle fibres and may contribute to the fatigue-resistant nature of slow-twitch muscle fibres.

MHC-based fiber type and E-C coupling characteristics in mechanically skinned muscle fibers of the rat

In this study, we investigated whether the previously established differences between fast- and slow-twitch single skeletal muscle fibers of the rat, in terms of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform composition and contractile function, are also detectable in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. We compared the contractile responsiveness of electrophoretically typed, mechanically skinned single fibers from the soleus (Sol), the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and the white region of the sternomastoid (SM) muscle to t-system depolarization-induced activation. The quantitative parameters assessed were the amplitude of the maximum depolarization-induced force response (DIFR(max); normalized to the maximum Ca(2+)-activated force in that fiber) and the number of responses elicited until the force declined by 75% of DIFR(max) (R-D(75%)). The mean DIFR(max) values for type IIB EDL and type IIB SM fibers were not statistically different, and both were greater than the mean DIFR(max) for type I Sol fibers. The mean R-D(75%) for type IIB EDL fibers was greater than that for type I Sol fibers as well as type IIB SM fibers. These data suggest that E-C coupling characteristics of mechanically skinned rat single muscle fibers are related to MHC-based fiber type and the muscle of origin.

High intracellular [Ca2+] alters sarcoplasmic reticulum function in skinned skeletal muscle fibres of the rat

1. The effect on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function of exposure to high intracellular [Ca2+] was studied in mechanically skinned fibres from the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat, using caffeine to assay the SR Ca2+ content. 2. A 15 s exposure to 50 microM Ca2+ irreversibly reduced the ability of the SR to load/retain Ca2+ and completely abolished depolarization-induced Ca2+ release, whereas a 90 s exposure to 10 microM Ca2+ had no detectable effect on either function. The reduction in net SR Ca2+ uptake: (a) was near-maximal with treatment at 50 microM Ca2+, (b) was unrelated to voltage-sensor function, and (c) persisted unchanged for > 20 min. The reduction was primarily due to a threefold increase in leakage of Ca2+ out of the SR. This increased leakage was not substantially blocked by the presence of 10 mM Mg2+ or 2 microM Ruthenium Red. 3. The adverse effect on SR function of exposure to high [Ca2+] could also be observed by the reduction in the ability of the SR to maintain a low [Ca2+] within the skinned fibre in the face of elevated [Ca2+] in the bathing solution. When bathed in a solution with approximately 1.5 microM Ca2+ (0.75 mM CaEGTA-EGTA), skinned fibres produced only low force responses for many minutes, but after high [Ca2+] treatment (15 s exposure to 50 microM Ca2+) they showed large, steady or oscillatory force responses. 4. These findings indicate that, in addition to uncoupling the Ca2+ release channels from the voltage sensors, exposure of skinned fibres to high [Ca2+] causes a persistent increase in resting Ca2+ efflux from the SR. Such efflux in an intact fibre would alter the distribution of Ca2+ between the SR, the cytoplasm and the extracellular solution. These results may be relevant to the basis of low-frequency fatigue and possibly other conditions in muscle.

Events of the excitation-contraction-relaxation (E-C-R) cycle in fast- and slow-twitch mammalian muscle fibres relevant to muscle fatigue

The excitation-contraction-relaxation cycle (E-C-R) in the mammalian twitch muscle comprises the following major events: (1) initiation and propagation of an action potential along the sarcolemma and transverse (T)-tubular system; (2) detection of the T-system depolarization signal and signal transmission from the T-tubule to the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane; (3) Ca2+ release from the SR; (4) transient rise of myoplasmic [Ca2+]; (5) transient activation of the Ca2+-regulatory system and of the contractile apparatus; (6) Ca2+ reuptake by the SR Ca2+ pump and Ca2+ binding to myoplasmic sites. There are many steps in the E-C-R cycle which can be seen as potential sites for muscle fatigue and this review explores how structural and functional differences between the fast- and slow-twitch fibres with respect to the E-C-R cycle events can explain to a great extent differences in their fatiguability profiles.

Investigation of the effect of inositol trisphosphate in skinned skeletal muscle fibres with functional excitation-contraction coupling

The effect of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) was investigated in mechanically skinned fibres which had the endogenous level of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ and in which the normal excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling mechanism was still functional. Application of 50 or 100 microM IP3 failed to induce a detectable force response in any such skinned fibre from either the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat or iliofibularis muscle of the toad, irrespective of whether the fibre was: (a) in its normally polarized, resting state; (b) chronically depolarized to inactivate the voltage sensors; (c) paralysed with D600; or (d) depolarized to threshold for force activation. Furthermore, the size of the response to subsequent depolarization or exposure to caffeine (2mM) or reduced myoplasmic [Mg2+] indicated that little if any Ca2+ had been lost from the SR during the period of IP3 exposure (> or = 1 min). Also, IP3 did not induce a detectable force response when SR Ca2+ uptake was potently inhibited with 20 microM TBQ. Exposure to IP3 (50 microM) slightly potentiated the peak force response to depolarization in toad fibres, and this was probably because of an accompanying small increase in Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. These results appear inconsistent with the proposal that IP3 acts as the second messenger in E-C coupling in skeletal muscle.

Effect of nifedipine on depolarization-induced force responses in skinned skeletal muscle fibres of rat and toad

The effect of the dihydropyridine, nifedipine, on excitation-contraction coupling was compared in toad and rat skeletal muscle, using the mechanically skinned fibre technique, in order to understand better the apparently disparate results of previous studies and to examine recent proposals on the importance of certain intracellular factors in determining the efficacy of dihydropyridines. In twitch fibres from the iliofibularis muscle of the toad, 10 microM nifedipine completely inhibited depolarization-induced force responses within 30 s, without interfering with direct activation of the Ca(2+)-release channels by caffeine application or reduction of myoplasmic [Mg2+]. At low concentrations of nifedipine, inhibition was considerably augmented by repeated depolarizations, with half-maximal inhibition occurring at < 0.1 microM nifedipine. In contrast, in rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) fibres 1 microM nifedipine had virtually no effect on depolarization-induced force responses, and 10 microM nifedipine caused only approximately 25% reduction in the responses, even upon repeated depolarizations. In rat fibres, 10 microM nifedipine shifted the steady-state force inactivation curve to more negative potentials by < 11 mV, whereas in toad fibres the potent inhibitory effect of nifedipine indicated a much larger shift. The inhibitory effect of nifedipine in rat fibres was little, if at all, increased by the absence of Ca2+ in the transverse tubular (t-) system, provided that the Ca2+ was replaced with sufficient Mg2+. The presence of the reducing agents dithiothreitol (10 mM) or glutathione (10 mM) in the solution bathing a toad skinned fibre did not reduce the inhibitory effect of nifedipine, suggesting that the potency of nifedipine in toad skinned fibres was not due to the washout of intracellular reducing agents. The results are considered in terms of a model that can account for the markedly different effects of nifedipine on the two putative functions of the dihydropyridine receptor, as both t-system calcium channel and a voltage-sensor controlling Ca2+ release.

Effect of saponin treatment on the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rat, cane toad and crustacean (yabby) skeletal muscle

1. Mechanically skinned fibres from skeletal muscles of the rat, toad and yabby were used to investigate the effect of saponin treatment on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ loading properties. The SR was loaded submaximally under control conditions before and after treatment with saponin and SR Ca2+ was released with caffeine. 2. Treatment with 10 micrograms ml-1 saponin greatly reduced the SR Ca2+ loading ability of skinned fibres from the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat with a rate constant of 0.24 min-1. Saponin concentrations up to 150 micrograms ml-1 and increased exposure time up to 30 min did not further reduce the SR Ca2+ loading ability of the SR, which indicates that the inhibitory action of 10-150 micrograms ml-1 saponin is not dose dependent. The effect of saponin was also not dependent on the state of polarization of the transverse-tubular system. 3. Treatment with saponin at concentrations up to 100 micrograms ml-1 for 30 min did not affect the Ca2+ loading ability of SR in skinned skeletal muscle fibres from the twitch portion of the toad iliofibularis muscle but SR Ca2+ loading ability decreased markedly with a time constant of 0.22 min-1 in the presence of 150 micrograms ml-1 saponin. 4. The saponin dependent increase in permeability could be reversed in both rat and toad fibres by short treatment with 6 microM Ruthenium Red, a potent SR Ca2+ channel blocker, suggesting that saponin does affect the SR Ca2+ channel properties in mammalian and anuran skeletal muscle. 5. Treatment of skinned fibres of long sarcomere length (> 6 microns) from the claw muscle of the yabby (a freshwater decapod crustacean) with 10 micrograms ml-1 saponin for 30 min abolished the ability of the SR to load Ca2+, indicating that saponin affects differently the SR from skeletal muscles of mammals, anurans and crustaceans. 6. It is concluded that at relatively low concentrations, saponin causes inhibition of the skeletal SR Ca2+ loading ability in a species dependent manner, probably by increasing the Ca2+ loss through SR Ca2+ release channels.

Molecular cogs in machina carnis

1. This review explores the complexity of skeletal muscle function mainly from the perspective of work performed by the author over the past two decades.

Depolarization accelerates the decay of K+ contractures in rat skeletal muscle fibers

The experiments examine the effects of membrane potential on the time course of K+ contractures in small bundles of rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle fibers. Control K+ contractures were induced by exposure to a 200 mmol/L K+ solution in polarized fibers with a resting membrane potential of -83 mV (3.5 mmol/L K+), while test contractures were evoked with 200 mmol/L K+ from -46 mV, after 5, 10, and 30 min in a 30 mmol/L K+ conditioning solution. The decay times of the test K+ contracture in depolarized fibers were faster than those of the control K+ contracture in both soleus and EDL. A maximum reduction of 60% in the time for the contracture to decay from 90% to 10% was seen in soleus fibers after depolarizations lasting 10 min, while a reduction of 45% was seen in the decay time of EDL fibers after a 5-min depolarization. The amplitudes of the test contractures were 30% less than control after 5-min and 10-min depolarization and 50% less than control after 30 min. Analysis of the results suggests that the kinetics of excitation-contraction coupling may be altered in damaged muscle fibers.

Effects of FK506 and rapamycin on excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle fibres of the rat

1. The effects of the immunosuppressants FK506 and rapamycin were examined in mechanically skinned skeletal muscle fibres of rat in order to determine whether the FK506-binding protein plays a role in the coupling between the voltage sensors and the Ca2+ release channels. 2. Both FK506 (1 microM) and rapamycin (1 microM) rapidly and reversibly potentiated Ca2+ release evoked by either depolarization of the transverse tubular system or caffeine application, suggesting a direct effect of the agents on the Ca2+ release channels. 3. In addition, repeated depolarizations in the presence of either FK506 (1 microM) or rapamycin (1 microM) caused irreversible loss of depolarization-induced Ca2+ release, without preventing direct activation of the Ca2+ release channels by caffeine or low [Mg2+]. If a fibre was exposed to either immunosuppressant for a similar period (10 min) without stimulation, or if the voltage sensors were kept inactivated, there was little if any loss of coupling. 4. The loss of coupling was faster at higher drug concentrations, with 20 microM rapamycin causing 50% inhibition in 7-8 min without stimulation; this was further accelerated by repeated depolarizations in the presence of the drug, but was not noticeably altered by direct activation of the release channels by repeated exposure to caffeine. The irreversible loss of coupling indicates that the FK506-binding protein may play a vital role in enabling the voltage sensors to activate the Ca2+ release channels.

The effect of 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone on force responses and the contractile apparatus in mechanically skinned muscle fibres of the rat and toad

In this study, we investigated the effect of the Ca2+ pump inhibitor, 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone on the function of the contractile apparatus, Ca2+ uptake, the permeability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to Ca2+ and excitation-contraction coupling, in mechanically skinned muscle fibres of the rat and toad. 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone had no significant effect on the maximum force and Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in rat and toad fibres at concentrations of 20 and 5 microM respectively. In rat fibres, 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone was found to inhibit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ loading in a dose dependent manner, with a half maximal effect at 2 microM. In toad fibres, 5 microM 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone completely blocked sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ loading. Exposure to 5 mM BAPTA revealed a small resting sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak in unstimulated rat fibres. This Ca2+ leak was not significantly affected by the presence of 20 microM 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone, suggesting that 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone does not substantially block or activate the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channels. Depolarisation-induced force responses elicited in rat and toad skinned fibres were not significantly affected by 0.5 microM 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1, 4-hydroquinone. In the rat fibres, 5 and 20 microM 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone greatly increased the peak and duration of initial depolarisation-induced force responses, while subsequent responses were reduced. 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone did not affect excitation contraction coupling, as depolarisation-induced force responses similar to initial controls could be elicited after 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone exposure, provided that the initial Ca2+ release in 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone was chelated with 0.5 mM EGTA (to prevent Ca(2+)-dependent damage) and the sarcoplasmic reticulum was reloaded with Ca2+. In the toad fibres, 5 microM 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1, 4-hydroquinone had a similar effect on depolarisation-induced force responses to that observed at 20 microM 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1, 4-hydroquinone in rat fibres. This study shows that 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone specifically and reversibly inhibits the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump in skeletal muscle and therefore, 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone could be a valuable tool for investigating the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in Ca2+ homeostasis in skeletal muscle.

G protein effects on Ca2+ release and excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle fibers

Skeletal muscle excitation-contraction (EC) coupling may involve secondary mechanisms, such as those involving G proteins. The aim of this study was to identify possible G protein effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release, in general, and on voltage-dependent EC coupling, in particular. Effects of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) were studied using a single peeled rabbit skeletal muscle fiber preparation that is capable of releasing SR Ca2+ in response to transverse tubule (TT) depolarization. Because of possible nonspecific and residual effects of 200 microM GTP gamma S, a lower concentration of 50 microM GTP gamma S was used to stimulate G proteins in the peeled fiber system. Under conditions for steady-state (resting) polarization of TT, GTP gamma S rarely elicited SR Ca2+ release. When the TTs are in steady-state (resting) depolarization, 50 microM GTP gamma S or GTP elicited SR Ca2+ release and associated tension transients in only 69% of fibers tested. In contrast GTP gamma S always augmented Ca2+ release during TT depolarization-induced EC coupling. These results indicate the presence of at least two excitatory G proteins for SR Ca2+ release, only one of which is a modulator, albeit nonessential, of peeled fiber EC coupling.

Effects of intracellular pH and [Mg2+] on excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle fibres of the rat

1. The effects on normal excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling of two important intracellular ions, H+ and Mg2+, were examined in skinned fibres from the extensor digitorum longus muscle of rat. 2. A single depolarization (2-3 s duration) in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+ (pH 7.1, 23 degrees C) released most of the available Ca2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), but a similar depolarization in the presence of 10 mM Mg2+ was unable to release almost any Ca2+. Thus, raised [Mg2+] potently inhibits depolarization-induced Ca2+ release in mammalian muscle. 3. Depolarization at pH 6.2 (1 mM Mg2+, 23 degrees C) induced a large force response, which was on average 78 +/- 2%, n = 6, of the depolarization-induced response at pH 7.1; this reduction resulted from a corresponding reduction in maximum Ca(2+)-activated force at pH 6.2. Similar results were obtained at 37 degrees C. Also, a single depolarization at pH 6.2 caused almost complete depletion of the releasable Ca2+ in the SR. Thus, low pH does not prevent depolarization-induced Ca2+ release in mammalian muscle. 4. Lowering the free [Mg2+] from 1 mM to 15 microM caused massive release of Ca2+, and depletion of the SR, at both pH 7.1 and 6.2, indicating that over this pH range, H+ did not readily substitute for Mg2+ at its inhibitory site on the Ca2+ release channel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of phosphoinositide metabolism in Ca2+ signalling of skeletal muscle cells

1. The mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores by D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate[Ins(1,4,5)P3] is now widely accepted as the primary link between plasma membrane receptors that stimulate phospholipase C and the subsequent increase in intracellular free Ca2+ that occurs when such receptors are activated (Berridge, 1993). Since the observations of Volpe et al. (1985) which showed that Ins(1,4,5)P3 could induce Ca2+ release from isolated terminal cisternae membranes and elicit contracture of chemically skinned muscle fibres, research has focused on the role of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in the generation of SR Ca2+ transients and in the mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling (EC-coupling). 2. The mechanism of signal transduction at the triadic junction during EC-coupling is unknown. Asymmetric charge movement and mechanical coupling between highly specialized triadic proteins has been proposed as the primary mechanism for voltage-activated generation of SR Ca2+ signals and subsequent contraction. Ins(1,4,5)P3 has also been proposed as the major signal transduction molecule for the generation of the primary Ca2+ transient produced during EC-coupling. 3. Investigations on the generation of Ca2+ transients by Ins(1,4,5)P3 have been conducted on ion channels incorporated into lipid bilayers, skinned and intact fibres and isolated membrane vesicles. Ins(1,4,5)P3 induces SR Ca2+ release and the enzymes responsible for its synthesis and degradation are present in muscle tissue. However, the sensitivity of the Ca2+ release mechanism to Ins(1,4,5)P3 is highly dependent on experimental conditions and on membrane potential. 4. While Ins(1,4,5)P3 may not be the major signal transduction molecule for the generation of the primary Ca2+ signal produced during voltage-activated contraction, this inositol polyphosphate may play a functional role as a modulator of EC-coupling and/or of the processes of myoplasmic Ca2+ regulation occurring on a time scale of seconds, during the events of contraction.

Effects of heparin on excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle toad and rat

1. Intracellularly applied heparin was found to cause a novel, use-dependent block of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in skinned skeletal muscle fibres of the toad. After one to four depolarizations in the presence of 100 micrograms ml-1 heparin, no further depolarization-induced responses could be elicited, even though addition of caffeine or lowering [Mg2+] could still induce massive Ca2+ release. This effect could not be reversed by extensive wash-out of the heparin (> 15 min). 2. Heparin (100 micrograms ml-1) did not abolish subsequent depolarization-induced responses if applied while the voltage sensors were in either their resting or inactivated states, that is (a) while a fibre remained fully polarized, (b) when a fibre was already chronically depolarized or (c) after a fibre had been depolarized in the presence of D600 (gallopamil) and then repolarized. 3. When a toad fibre was depolarized in heparin, with the associated Ca2+ release blocked by the presence of 10 mM intracellular Mg2+, subsequent E-C coupling was abolished. Heparin did not interrupt E-C coupling when Ca2+ release was triggered in the absence of any depolarization, by either caffeine or low [Mg2+]. Thus, the opening of the Ca2+ release channels was neither necessary nor sufficient for heparin to abolish E-C coupling. 4. Heparin had direct effects on the contractile apparatus in toad fibres, increasing the Ca2+ sensitivity and decreasing the maximum Ca(2+)-activated force. These effects could only be partly reversed by extensive wash-out of heparin. 5. At 100 micrograms ml-1, both low molecular weight heparin and pentosanpolysulphate, another highly sulphated polysaccharide, were less effective than heparin in blocking the depolarization-induced response and in changing the properties of the contractile apparatus, and these effects could be substantially reversed by wash-out. Two other polyanions, de-N-sulphated heparin (100 micrograms ml-1), which lacked N-sulphate groups, and polyglutamate (500 micrograms ml-1), had no measurable effect on either E-C coupling or the contractile apparatus. 6. In skinned fibres of the extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat, 100 micrograms ml-1 heparin had little or no effect on E-C coupling and on the Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus, but caused a larger reduction of the maximum Ca(2+)-activated force than in skinned fibres of the toad. 7. These results indicate that heparin blocks E-C coupling in toad muscle if, and only if, it is present when the voltage sensors are activated by depolarization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in excitation-contraction coupling of intact and cut-end voltage-clamped skeletal muscle fibres

In voltage-clamped frog muscle fibres 10 ng/ml PTX induced a decrease (approximately 35%) of tension when applied externally. Internal application in cut-end fibres significantly depressed tension after 20 min. This effect increased with time to reach 65% after 60 min. PTX shifted the voltage-dependent inactivation curve of tension by 30 mV towards hyperpolarizations and this was counteracted by raising external calcium concentration. The toxin induced a parallel decrease in tension and voltage-sensitive charge movement (49 +/- 9% and 52 +/- 6% respectively; n = 6). This was not counteracted by prior impregnation with forskolin. Internally applied GTP gamma S (500 microM) induced a simultaneous increase in tension (57 +/- 5%) and charge amount displaced (40 +/- 7%). By contrast, GDP beta S decreased tension and charge movement by 35 +/- 5% and 36 +/- 6% respectively.