Calcium current activation and charge movement in denervated mammalian skeletal muscle fibres

Neuromuscular junction instability and altered intracellular calcium handling as early determinants of force loss during unloading in humans

Key points

Few days of unloading are sufficient to induce a decline of skeletal muscle mass and function; notably, contractile force is lost at a faster rate than muscle mass.

The reasons behind this disproportionate loss of muscle force are still poorly understood.

We provide strong evidence of two mechanisms only hypothesized until now for the rapid muscle force loss in only 10 days of bed rest.

Our results show that an initial neuromuscular junction instability, accompanied by alterations in the innervation status and impairment of single fibre sarcoplasmic reticulum function contribute to the loss of contractile force in front of a preserved myofibrillar function and central activation capacity.

Early onset of neuromuscular junction instability and impairment in calcium dynamics involved in excitation–contraction coupling are proposed as eligible determinants to the greater decline in muscle force than in muscle size during unloading.

Abstract

Unloading induces rapid skeletal muscle atrophy and functional decline. Importantly, force is lost at a much higher rate than muscle mass. We aimed to investigate the early determinants of the disproportionate loss of force compared to that of muscle mass in response to unloading. Ten young participants underwent 10 days of bed rest (BR). At baseline (BR0) and at 10 days (BR10), quadriceps femoris (QF) volume (VOL) and isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were assessed. At BR0 and BR10 blood samples and biopsies of vastus lateralis (VL) muscle were collected. Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) stability and myofibre innervation status were assessed, together with single fibre mechanical properties and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium handling. From BR0 to BR10, QFVOL and MVC decreased by 5.2% (P = 0.003) and 14.3% (P < 0.001), respectively. Initial and partial denervation was detected from increased neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)‐positive myofibres at BR10 compared with BR0 (+3.4%, P = 0.016). NMJ instability was further inferred from increased C‐terminal agrin fragment concentration in serum (+19.2% at BR10, P = 0.031). Fast fibre cross‐sectional area (CSA) showed a trend to decrease by 15% (P = 0.055) at BR10, while single fibre maximal tension (force/CSA) was unchanged. However, at BR10 SR Ca²⁺ release in response to caffeine decreased by 35.1% (P < 0.002) and 30.2% (P < 0.001) in fast and slow fibres, respectively, pointing to an impaired excitation–contraction coupling. These findings support the view that the early onset of NMJ instability and impairment in SR function are eligible mechanisms contributing to the greater decline in muscle force than in muscle size during unloading.

Few days of unloading are sufficient to induce a decline of skeletal muscle mass and function; notably, contractile force is lost at a faster rate than muscle mass.

The reasons behind this disproportionate loss of muscle force are still poorly understood.

We provide strong evidence of two mechanisms only hypothesized until now for the rapid muscle force loss in only 10 days of bed rest.

Our results show that an initial neuromuscular junction instability, accompanied by alterations in the innervation status and impairment of single fibre sarcoplasmic reticulum function contribute to the loss of contractile force in front of a preserved myofibrillar function and central activation capacity.

Early onset of neuromuscular junction instability and impairment in calcium dynamics involved in excitation–contraction coupling are proposed as eligible determinants to the greater decline in muscle force than in muscle size during unloading.

The emerging role of the sympathetic nervous system in skeletal muscle motor innervation and sarcopenia

Examining neural etiologic factors'role in the decline of neuromuscular function with aging is essential to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying sarcopenia, the age-dependent decline in muscle mass, force and power. Innervation of the skeletal muscle by both motor and sympathetic axons has been established, igniting interest in determining how the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) affect skeletal muscle composition and function throughout the lifetime. Selective expression of the heart and neural crest derivative 2 gene in peripheral SNs increases muscle mass and force regulating skeletal muscle sympathetic and motor innervation; improving acetylcholine receptor stability and NMJ transmission; preventing inflammation and myofibrillar protein degradation; increasing autophagy; and probably enhancing protein synthesis. Elucidating the role of central SNs will help to define the coordinated response of the visceral and neuromuscular system to physiological and pathological challenges across ages. This review discusses the following questions: (1) Does the SNS regulate skeletal muscle motor innervation? (2) Does the SNS regulate presynaptic and postsynaptic neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structure and function? (3) Does sympathetic neuron (SN) regulation of NMJ transmission decline with aging? (4) Does maintenance of SNs attenuate aging sarcopenia? and (5) Do central SN group relays influence sympathetic and motor muscle innervation?

Oxidative stress-induced dysregulation of excitation-contraction coupling contributes to muscle weakness

BACKGROUND

We have previously shown that the deletion of the superoxide scavenger, CuZn superoxide dismutase, in mice (Sod1^-/- mice) results in increased oxidative stress and an accelerated loss of skeletal muscle mass and force that mirror the changes seen in old control mice. The goal of this study is to define the effect of oxidative stress and ageing on muscle weakness and the Excitation Contraction (EC) coupling machinery in age-matched adult (8-10 months) wild-type (WT) and Sod1^-/- mice in comparison with old (25-28 months) WT mice.

METHODS

In vitro contractile assays were used to measure muscle contractile parameters. The activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase (SERCA) pump was measured using an NADH-linked enzyme assay. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques were used to measure protein expression, and real-time reverse transcription PCR was used to measure gene expression.

RESULTS

The specific force generated by the extensor digitorum longus muscle was reduced in the Sod1^-/- and old WT mice compared with young WT mice along with significant prolongation of time to peak force, increased half relaxation time, and disruption of intracellular calcium handling. The maximal activity of the SERCA calcium uptake pump was significantly reduced in gastrocnemius muscle from both old WT (≈14%) and adult Sod1^-/- (≈33%) mice compared with young WT mice along with increased expression of sarcolipin, a known inhibitor of SERCA activity. Protein levels of the voltage sensor and calcium uptake channel proteins dihydropyridine receptor α1 and SERCA2 were significantly elevated (≈45% and ≈57%, respectively), while the ratio of calstabin, a channel stabilizing protein, to ryanodine receptor was significantly reduced (≈21%) in Sod1^-/- mice compared with young WT mice. The changes in calcium handling were accompanied by substantially elevated levels of global protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the muscle weakness in Sod1^-/- and old WT mice is in part driven by reactive oxygen species-mediated EC uncoupling and supports a role for reduced SERCA pump activity in compromised muscle function. The novel quantitative mechanistic data provided here can lead to potential therapeutic interventions of SERCA dysfunction for sarcopenia and muscle diseases.

Gender-specific association between urinary sodium excretion and body composition: Analysis of the 2008-2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have reported the relationship between sarcopenia and the estimated amount of sodium excreted in 24 h, as measured by the spot urine test (E24UNA), in a community-dwelling cohort. We investigated the gender specific association between E24UNA values and body composition indices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from a total of 7162 participants (3545 men and 3617 postmenopausal women) aged 45 years or older were obtained from multiple Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2010) and analyzed. The total amount of sodium excreted in the urine in a 24-h period was estimated with spot urine specimens. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by body weight (ASM/Wt) that was less than 1 standard deviation below the sex-specific mean for young adults.

RESULTS

E24UNA values were positively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, total fat mass, and blood pressure; in contrast, E24UNA values were negatively correlated with ASM/Wt in both sexes. Compared with those in the lowest E24UNA tertile, participants in the highest E24UNA tertile were at higher risk for sarcopenia (men: odds ratio (OR)=1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07-1.59]; women: OR=1.41 [95% CI=1.16-1.73]). Further classification of subjects with sarcopenia into sarcopenic obese and sarcopenic nonobese groups revealed that the highest E24UNA values were found in the sarcopenic obese group; this difference was statistically significant. The next highest levels were found in the sarcopenic nonobese group, followed by the nonsarcopenic group. This trend was observed in both sexes.

CONCLUSION

High E24UNA values were independently associated with both sarcopenia and obesity in Korean individuals older than 45 years. These results suggest that high salt intake may have a deleterious effect on body composition.

Establishment of a human skeletal muscle-derived cell line: biochemical, cellular and electrophysiological characterization

Excitation-contraction coupling is the physiological mechanism occurring in muscle cells whereby an electrical signal sensed by the dihydropyridine receptor located on the transverse tubules is transformed into a chemical gradient (Ca2+ increase) by activation of the ryanodine receptor located on the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In the present study, we characterized for the first time the excitation-contraction coupling machinery of an immortalized human skeletal muscle cell line. Intracellular Ca2+ measurements showed a normal response to pharmacological activation of the ryanodine receptor, whereas 3D-SIM (super-resolution structured illumination microscopy) revealed a low level of structural organization of ryanodine receptors and dihydropyridine receptors. Interestingly, the expression levels of several transcripts of proteins involved in Ca2+ homoeostasis and differentiation indicate that the cell line has a phenotype closer to that of slow-twitch than fast-twitch muscles. These results point to the potential application of such human muscle-derived cell lines to the study of neuromuscular disorders; in addition, they may serve as a platform for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at correcting defects in Ca2+ homoeostasis due to mutations in genes involved in Ca2+ regulation.

JP-45/JSRP1 variants affect skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling by decreasing the sensitivity of the dihydropyridine receptor

JP-45 (also JP45; encoded by JSRP1) is an integral protein constituent of the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum junctional face membrane interacting with Ca(v) 1.1 (the α.1 subunit of the voltage-sensing dihydropyridine receptor, DHPR) and the luminal calcium-binding protein calsequestrin. Two JSRP1 variants have been found in the human population: c.323C>T (p.P108L) in exon 5 and c.449G>C (p.G150A) in exon 6, but nothing is known concerning the incidence of these polymorphisms in the general population or in patients with neuromuscular diseases nor the impact of the polymorphisms on excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. In the present report, we investigated the frequencies of these two JSRP1 polymorphisms in the Swiss malignant hyperthermia population and studied the functional impact of the variants on EC coupling. Our results show that the polymorphisms are equally distributed among malignant hyperthermia negative, malignant hyperthermia equivocal, and malignant hyperthermia susceptible individuals. Interestingly, however, the presence of either one of these JP-45 variants decreased the sensitivity of the DHPR to activation. The presence of a JSRP1 variant may explain the variable phenotype seen in patients with malignant hyperthermia carrying the same mutation and, more importantly, may counteract the hypersensitivity of EC coupling caused by mutations in the RYR1 gene.

Voltage clamp methods for the study of membrane currents and SR Ca(2+) release in adult skeletal muscle fibres

Skeletal muscle excitation-contraction (E-C)(1) coupling is a process composed of multiple sequential stages, by which an action potential triggers sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)(2) Ca(2+) release and subsequent contractile activation. The various steps in the E-C coupling process in skeletal muscle can be studied using different techniques. The simultaneous recordings of sarcolemmal electrical signals and the accompanying elevation in myoplasmic Ca(2+), due to depolarization-initiated SR Ca(2+) release in skeletal muscle fibres, have been useful to obtain a better understanding of muscle function. In studying the origin and mechanism of voltage dependency of E-C coupling a variety of different techniques have been used to control the voltage in adult skeletal fibres. Pioneering work in muscles isolated from amphibians or crustaceans used microelectrodes or 'high resistance gap' techniques to manipulate the voltage in the muscle fibres. The development of the patch clamp technique and its variant, the whole-cell clamp configuration that facilitates the manipulation of the intracellular environment, allowed the use of the voltage clamp techniques in different cell types, including skeletal muscle fibres. The aim of this article is to present an historical perspective of the voltage clamp methods used to study skeletal muscle E-C coupling as well as to describe the current status of using the whole-cell patch clamp technique in studies in which the electrical and Ca(2+) signalling properties of mouse skeletal muscle membranes are being investigated.

Mineralocorticoid antagonism: a novel way to treat sarcopenia and physical impairment in older people?

Dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been associated with a number of age-related pathologies including hypertension, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. More recently, it has been suggested that alterations within the RAAS may contribute to the development of sarcopenia and subsequent decline in physical function. There is growing interest in developing interventions to prevent age-associated decline in muscle function. We postulate that inhibition of the RAAS with the mineralocorticoid antagonist spironolactone may have a role in countering the effects of physical impairment in older people by improving skeletal muscle function. Spironolactone may prevent skeletal myocyte apoptosis, improve vascular endothelial function and enhance muscle contractility by increasing muscle magnesium and sodium-potassium pumps. This article will review the literature underpinning the hypothesis that spironolactone may have a role in maintaining muscle function in older people.

Increased CaVbeta1A expression with aging contributes to skeletal muscle weakness

Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) into the cytosol is a crucial part of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Excitation-contraction uncoupling, a deficit in Ca2+ release from the SR, is thought to be responsible for at least some of the loss in specific force observed in aging skeletal muscle. Excitation-contraction uncoupling may be caused by alterations in expression of the voltage-dependent calcium channel alpha1s (CaV1.1) and beta1a (CaVbeta1a) subunits, both of which are necessary for E-C coupling to occur. While previous studies have found CaV1.1 expression declines in old rodents, CaVbeta1a expression has not been previously examined in aging models. Western blot analysis shows a substantial increase of CaVbeta1a expression over the full lifespan of Friend Virus B (FVB) mice. To examine the specific effects of CaVbeta1a overexpression, a CaVbeta1a-YFP plasmid was electroporated in vivo into young animals. The resulting increase in expression of CaVbeta1a corresponded to decline of CaV1.1 over the same time period. YFP fluorescence, used as a measure of CaVbeta1a-YFP expression in individual fibers, also showed an inverse relationship with charge movement, measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Specific force was significantly reduced in young CaVbeta1a-YFP electroporated muscle fibers compared with sham-electroporated, age-matched controls. siRNA interference of CaVbeta1a in young muscles reduced charge movement, while charge movement in old was restored to young control levels. These studies imply CaVbeta1a serves as both a positive and negative regulator CaV1.1 expression, and that endogenous overexpression of CaVbeta1a during old age may play a role in the loss of specific force.

Role of Ca2+, membrane excitability, and Ca2+ stores in failing muscle contraction with aging

Excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in a population of skeletal muscle fibers of aged mice becomes dependent on the presence of external Ca(2+) ions (Payne, A.M., Zheng, Z., Gonzalez, E., Wang, Z.M., Messi, M.L., Delbono, O., 2004b. External Ca(2+)-dependent excitation - contraction coupling in a population of aging mouse skeletal muscle fibers. J. Physiol. 560, 137-155.). However, the mechanism(s) underlying this process remain unknown. In this work, we examined the role of (1) extracellular Ca(2+); (2) voltage-induced influx of external Ca(2+) ions; (3) sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) depletion during repeated contractions; (4) store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE); (5) SR ultrastructure; (6) SR subdomain localization of the ryanodine receptor; and (7) sarcolemmal excitability in muscle force decline with aging. These experiments show that external Ca(2+), but not Ca(2+) influx, is needed to maintain force upon repetitive fiber electrical stimulation. Decline in fiber force is associated with depressed SR Ca(2+) release. SR Ca(2+) depletion, SOCE, and the putative segregated Ca(2+) release store do not play a significant role in external Ca(2+)-dependent contraction. More importantly, a significant number of action potentials fail in senescent mouse muscle fibers subjected to a stimulation frequency. These results indicate that failure to generate action potentials accounts for decreased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and tetanic force in aging muscle exposed to a Ca(2+)-free medium.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release declines in muscle fibers from aging mice

This study hypothesized that decline in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release and maximal SR-releasable Ca(2+) contributes to decreased specific force with aging. To test it, we recorded electrically evoked maximal isometric specific force followed by 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CmC)-evoked maximal contracture force in single intact fibers from the mouse flexor digitorum brevis muscle. Significant differences in tetanic, but not in 4-CmC-evoked, contracture forces were recorded in fibers from aging mice as compared to younger mice. Peak intracellular Ca(2+) in response to 4-CmC did not differ significantly. SR Ca(2+) release was recorded in whole-cell patch-clamped fibers in the linescan mode of confocal microscopy using a low-affinity Ca(2+) indicator (Oregon green bapta-5N) with high-intracellular ethylene glycol-bis(alpha-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N'N'-tetraacetic acid (20 mM). Maximal SR Ca(2+) release, but not voltage dependence, was significantly changed in fibers from old compared to young mice. Increasing the duration of fiber depolarization did not increase the maximal rate of SR Ca(2+) release in fibers from old compared to young mice. Voltage-dependent inactivation of SR Ca(2+) release did not differ significantly between fibers from young and old mice. These findings indicate that alterations in excitation-contraction coupling, but not in maximal SR-releasable Ca(2+), account for the age-dependent decline in intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and specific force.

Ca2+/CaM-dependent inactivation of the skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel (Cav1.1)

Ca2+-dependent modulation via calmodulin (CaM) has been documented for most high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, but whether the skeletal muscle L-type channel (Cav1.1) exhibits this property has been unknown. In this paper, whole-cell current and fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) recordings were obtained from cultured mouse myotubes to test for potential involvement of CaM in function of Cav1.1. When prolonged depolarization (800 ms) was used to evoke Cav1.1 currents in normal myotubes, the fraction of current remaining at the end of the pulse displayed classic signs of Ca2+-dependent inactivation (CDI), including U-shaped voltage dependence, maximal inactivation (approximately 30%) at potentials eliciting maximal inward current, and virtual elimination of inactivation when Ba2+ replaced external Ca2+ or when 10 mM BAPTA was included in the pipette solution. Furthermore, CDI was virtually eliminated (from 30 to 8%) in normal myotubes overexpressing mutant CaM (CaM1234) that does not bind Ca2+, whereas CDI was unaltered in myotubes overexpressing wild-type CaM (CaMwt). In addition, a significant FRET signal (E=4.06%) was detected between fluorescently tagged Cav1.1 and CaMwt coexpressed in dysgenic myotubes, demonstrating for the first time that these two proteins associate in vivo. These findings show that CaM associates with and modulates Cav1.1.

Muscle fibers from senescent mice retain excitation-contraction coupling properties in culture

In the present study, we test the hypothesis that mouse skeletal muscle in culture retains the fundamental properties of excitation-sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release coupling reported for young-adult (3-4 mo) and senescent (22-23) mice. Dissociated flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscles from young-adult and senescent mice were cultured for 7 d in a serum-free medium. During this period, the overall morphology of cultured fibers resembled that exhibited by acutely dissociated cells. In addition, survival analysis revealed that more than 70% of the fibers from both young and old mice remained suitable for electrophysiological studies during this same culture period. Charge movement and intracellular Ca(2+) recordings in FDB fibers, voltage clamped in the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique, reproduced the maximal values, and voltage dependence similarly displayed by acutely dissociated cells for both parameters in young-adult and senescent mice. The analysis of the dihydropyridine receptor by immunoblots confirmed, in the culture system, the age-dependent decrease in the expression of this protein. In conclusion, FDB fibers from young-adult and old mice retain the excitation-contraction coupling phenotype during the course of a week in serum-free medium culture.

The junctional SR protein JP-45 affects the functional expression of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel Cav1.1

JP-45, an integral protein of the junctional face membrane of the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), colocalizes with its Ca2+ -release channel (the ryanodine receptor), and interacts with calsequestrin and the skeletal-muscle dihydropyridine receptor Cav1. We have identified the domains of JP-45 and the Cav1.1 involved in this interaction, and investigated the functional effect of JP-45. The cytoplasmic domain of JP-45, comprising residues 1-80, interacts with Cav1.1. JP-45 interacts with two distinct and functionally relevant domains of Cav1.1, the I-II loop and the C-terminal region. Interaction between JP-45 and the I-II loop occurs through the alpha-interacting domain in the I-II loop. beta1a, a Cav1 subunit, also interacts with the cytosolic domain of JP-45, and its presence drastically reduces the interaction between JP-45 and the I-II loop. The functional effect of JP-45 on Cav1.1 activity was assessed by investigating charge movement in differentiated C2C12 myotubes after overexpression or depletion of JP-45. Overexpression of JP-45 decreased peak charge-movement and shifted VQ1/2 to a more negative potential (-10 mV). JP-45 depletion decreased both the content of Cav1.1 and peak charge-movements. Our data demonstrate that JP-45 is an important protein for functional expression of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.

Motor neurone targeting of IGF-1 prevents specific force decline in ageing mouse muscle

IGF-1 is a potent growth factor for both motor neurones and skeletal muscle. Muscle IGF-1 is known to provide target-derived trophic effects on motor neurones. Therefore, IGF-1 overexpression in muscle is effective in delaying or preventing deleterious effects of ageing in both tissues. Since age-related decline in muscle function stems partly from motor neurone loss, a tetanus toxin fragment-C (TTC) fusion protein was created to target IGF-1 to motor neurones. IGF-1-TTC retains IGF-1 activity as indicated by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into L6 myoblasts. Spinal cord motor neurones effectively bound and internalized the IGF-1-TTC in vitro. Similarly, IGF-1-TTC injected into skeletal muscles was taken up and retrogradely transported to the spinal cord in vivo, a process prevented by denervation of injected muscles. Three monthly IGF-1-TTC injections into muscles of ageing mice did not increase muscle weight or muscle fibre size, but significantly increased single fibre specific force over aged controls injected with saline, IGF-1, or TTC. None of the injections changed muscle fibre type composition, but neuromuscular junction post-terminals were larger and more complex in muscle fibres injected with IGF-1-TTC, compared to the other groups, suggesting preservation of muscle fibre innervation. This work demonstrates that induced overexpression of IGF-1 in spinal cord motor neurones of ageing mice prevents muscle fibre specific force decline, a hallmark of ageing skeletal muscle.

External Ca(2+)-dependent excitation--contraction coupling in a population of ageing mouse skeletal muscle fibres

In the present work, we investigate whether changes in excitation-contraction (EC) coupling mode occur in skeletal muscles from ageing mammals by examining the dependence of EC coupling on extracellular Ca(2+). Single intact muscle fibres from flexor digitorum brevis muscles from young (2-6 months) and old (23-30 months) mice were subjected to tetanic contractile protocols in the presence and absence of external Ca(2+). Contractile experiments in the absence of external Ca(2+) show that about half of muscle fibres from old mice are dependent upon external Ca(2+) for maintaining maximal tetanic force output, while young fibres are not. Decreased force in the absence of external Ca(2+) was not due to changes in charge movement as revealed by whole-cell patch-clamp experiments. Ca(2+) transients, measured by fluo-4 fluorescence, declined in voltage-clamped fibres from old mice in the absence of external Ca(2+). Similarly, Ca(2+) transients declined in parallel with tetanic contractile force in single intact fibres. Examination of inward Ca(2+) current and of mRNA and protein assays suggest that these changes in EC coupling mode are not due to shifts in dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) and/or ryanodine receptor (RyR) isoforms. These results indicate that a change in EC coupling mode occurs in a population of fibres in ageing skeletal muscle, and is responsible for the age-related dependence on extracellular Ca(2+).

Neurogenesis of excitation-contraction uncoupling in aging skeletal muscle

Excitation-contraction (EC) uncoupling is a major cause of decreased muscle force generating capacity (specific force). However, the underlying mechanisms of EC uncoupling in muscle from aging mammals have not been characterized. We propose that impaired motor neuron function with aging leading to muscle denervation, a process probably initiated earlier than detected by in vitro morphologic techniques, results in EC uncoupling.

Preservation of motor neuron Ca2+ channel sensitivity to insulin-like growth factor-1 in brain motor cortex from senescent rat

Despite the multiple effects on mammals during development, the effectiveness of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to sustain cell function and structure in the brain of senescent mammals is almost completely unknown. To address this issue, we investigated whether the effects of IGF-1 on specific targets are preserved at later stages of life. Voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) are well-characterized targets of IGF-1. VGCC regulate membrane excitability and gene transcription along with other functions that have been found to be impaired in the brain of senescent rodents. As the voluntary control of movement has been reported to be altered in the elderly, we investigated the expression, function and responsiveness of high (HVA)- and low-voltage-activated (LVA) Ca2+ channels to IGF-1, using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp and RT-PCR in the specific region of the rat motor cortex that controls hindlimb muscle movement. We detected the expression of alpha 1A, alpha 1B and alpha 1E genes encoding the HVA Ca2+ channels P/Q, N and R, respectively, but not alpha 1C, alpha 1D, alpha 1S encoding the L-type Ca2+ channel in this region of the brain cortex. IGF-1 enhanced Ca2+ channel currents through P/Q- and N-type channels but not significantly through the R-type or LVA channels. IGF-1 enhanced the amplitude but did not modify the voltage dependence of Ca2+ channel currents in young (2- to 4-week-old), young adult (7-month-old) and senescent (28- to 29-month-old) rats. These results support the concept that despite the reported decrease in circulating (liver) and local (central nervous system) production of IGF-1 with ageing, key neuronal targets such as the VGCC remain responsive to the growth factor throughout life.

Target-derived trophic effect on skeletal muscle innervation in senescent mice

In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that target-derived insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) prevents alterations in neuromuscular innervation in aging mammals. To explore this hypothesis, we studied senescent wild-type mice as a model of deficient IGF-1 secretion and signaling and S1S2 transgenic mice as a tool to investigate the role of sustained overexpression of IGF-1 in striated muscle in neuromuscular innervation. The analysis of the nerve terminal in extensor digitorum longus muscles from senescent mice showed that the decrease in the percentage of cholinesterase-stained zones (CSZ) exhibiting nerve terminal branching, number of nerve branches at the CSZ, and nerve branch points was partially or completely reversed by sustained overexpression of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle. Target-derived IGF-1 also prevented age-related decreases in the postterminal alpha-bungarotoxin immunostained area, as well as the reduction in the number and length of postsynaptic folds, and area and density of postsynaptic folds studied with electron microscopy. Overexpression of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle may account for the lack of age-dependent switch in muscle fiber type composition recorded in senescent mice. In summary, the use of the S1S2 IGF-1 transgenic mouse model allowed us to provide morphological evidence for the role of target-derived IGF-1 in spinal cord motor neurons in senescent mice.

Target-derived trophic effect on skeletal muscle innervation in senescent mice

In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that target-derived insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) prevents alterations in neuromuscular innervation in aging mammals. To explore this hypothesis, we studied senescent wild-type mice as a model of deficient IGF-1 secretion and signaling and S1S2 transgenic mice as a tool to investigate the role of sustained overexpression of IGF-1 in striated muscle in neuromuscular innervation. The analysis of the nerve terminal in extensor digitorum longus muscles from senescent mice showed that the decrease in the percentage of cholinesterase-stained zones (CSZ) exhibiting nerve terminal branching, number of nerve branches at the CSZ, and nerve branch points was partially or completely reversed by sustained overexpression of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle. Target-derived IGF-1 also prevented age-related decreases in the postterminal alpha-bungarotoxin immunostained area, as well as the reduction in the number and length of postsynaptic folds, and area and density of postsynaptic folds studied with electron microscopy. Overexpression of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle may account for the lack of age-dependent switch in muscle fiber type composition recorded in senescent mice. In summary, the use of the S1S2 IGF-1 transgenic mouse model allowed us to provide morphological evidence for the role of target-derived IGF-1 in spinal cord motor neurons in senescent mice.

Neural control of aging skeletal muscle

Functional and structural decline in the neuromuscular system with aging has been recognized as a cause of impairment in physical performance and loss of independence in the elderly. Alterations in spinal cord motor neurones and at the neuromuscular junction have been identified as evidence of denervation in skeletal muscles from aging mammals, including humans. However, the reciprocal influences of neurones on gene expression in muscle and of muscle on age-related neurodegeneration are poorly understood, and, as a result, interventions aimed at delaying or preventing degeneration of the neural component in aging muscle have been largely unsuccessful. The present article discusses the evidence for neural influence on age-related impairments of skeletal muscle, including a role in excitation-contraction uncoupling. The role of nerves in regulating the trophic actions of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and other neurotrophic factors is considered as a novel influence on the effects of aging on the neuromuscular junction. A better understanding of nerve-muscle interactions will allow for more rational interventions in the aging neuromuscular system.

Intramembrane charge movement and L-type calcium current in skeletal muscle fibers isolated from control and mdx mice

Dystrophin-deficient muscle fibers from mdx mice are believed to suffer from increased calcium entry and elevated submembranous calcium level, the actual source and functional consequences of which remain obscure. Here we compare the properties of the dihydropyridine receptor as voltage sensor and calcium channel in control and mdx muscle fibers, using the silicone-voltage clamp technique. In control fibers charge movement followed a two-state Boltzmann distribution with values for maximal charge, midpoint voltage, and steepness of 23 +/- 2 nC/ micro F, -37 +/- 3 mV, and 13 +/- 1 mV (n = 7). Essentially identical values were obtained in mdx fibers and the time course of charge recovery from inactivation was also similar in the two populations (tau approximately 6 s). In control fibers the voltage dependence of the slow calcium current elicited by 100-ms-long pulses gave values for maximal conductance, apparent reversal potential, half-activation potential, and steepness factor of 156 +/- 15 S/F, 65.5 +/- 2.9 mV, -0.76 +/- 1.2 mV, and 6.2 +/- 0.5 mV (n = 17). In mdx fibers, the half-activation potential of the calcium current was slightly more negative (-6.2 +/- 1.2 mV, n = 16). Also, when using longer pulses, the time constant of calcium current decay was found to be significantly larger (by a factor of 1.5-2) in mdx than in control fibers. These changes in calcium current properties are unlikely to be primarily responsible for a dramatic alteration of intracellular calcium homeostasis. They may be speculated to result, at least in part, from remodeling of the submembranous cytoskeleton network due to the absence of dystrophin.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 increases skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor alpha 1S transcriptional activity by acting on the cAMP-response element-binding protein element of the promoter region

Previous work from our laboratory has shown that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) increases the expression of the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) alpha(1) subunit by regulating DHPR alpha(1S) nuclear transcription. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which IGF-1 enhances expression of the DHPR alpha(1S) gene. To this end, the promoter region of the mouse DHPR alpha(1S) gene was recently cloned and sequenced and various promoter deletion-luciferase reporter constructs were used. These constructs were transfected into C2C12 cells and IGF-1 effects were measured by recording luciferase activity. IGF-1 significantly enhanced DHPR alpha(1S) transcription in those constructs carrying cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) binding site but not in CREB core binding site mutants. Gel mobility shift assay using a double stranded oligonucleotide for the CREB site in the promoter region, and competition experiments with excess unlabeled or mutated promoter oligonucleotide, and unlabeled consensus CREB oligonucleotide demonstrated that IGF-1 induces CREB binding to the DHPR alpha(1S) promoter. IGF-1-mediated enhancement in charge movement was prevented by incubating the cells with antisense but not with sense oligonucleotides against CREB. These results support the conclusion that IGF-1 regulates DHPR alpha(1S) transcription in muscle cells by acting on the CREB element of the promoter.

Charge movement and transcription regulation of L-type calcium channel alpha(1S) in skeletal muscle cells

Several factors, such as Ca(2+), trophic factors and ageing, regulate dihydropyridine-sensitive receptor (DHPR) alpha(1) subunit expression. However, basic mechanisms of DHPR alpha(1S) expression are unknown. To better understand the regulatory elements that control transcription, the 1.2 kb 5'-flanking region fragment immediately upstream of the mouse L-type Ca(2+) channel or DHPR alpha(1S) gene was isolated and sequenced. Luciferase reporter constructs driven by different promoter regions of mouse DHPR alpha(1S) gene were used for transient transfection assays in muscle C2C12 cells. In these preparations we found that three regions corresponding to CREB, GATA-2 and SOX-5 consensus sequence within the 5'-flanking region of the DHPR alpha(1S) gene are important for DHPR alpha(1S) gene transcription. Antisense oligonucleotides against CREB, GATA-2 and SOX-5 significantly reduced charge movement in C2C12 cells. Charge movement was recorded in the whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique. Results from cells transfected with antisense (AS) and sense (S) oligonucleotides and nontransfected cells were compared. Charge movement experiments were fitted to a Boltzmann equation. Maximum charge movement (Q(max)) (nC microF(-1), mean +/- S.E.M.) for S- and AS-CREB was 70.3 +/- 2.9 and 52.8 +/- 3.3, respectively (P < 0.05). The same parameter for S- and AS-GATA-2 was 71.3 +/- 3.9 and 48.2 +/- 2.3, respectively (P < 0.05) and for S- and AS-SOX-5 was 70.4 +/- 4.2 and 45.1 +/- 3.2, respectively (P < 0.05). Values recorded in cells transfected with sense S-CREB, S-GATA-2 and S-SOX-5 oligonucleotides were not significantly different from those recorded in nontransfected cells. This study demonstrates that the transcription factors CREB, GATA-2 and SOX-5 play a significant role in the expression of the skeletal muscle DHPR or L-type Ca(2+) channel alpha(1S).

Sustained overexpression of IGF-1 prevents age-dependent decrease in charge movement and intracellular Ca(2+) in mouse skeletal muscle

In this work we tested the hypothesis that transgenic sustained overexpression of IGF-1 prevents age-dependent decreases in charge movement and intracellular Ca(2+) in skeletal muscle fibers. To this end, short flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle fibers from 5-7- and 21-24-month-old FVB (wild-type) and S1S2 (IGF-1 transgenic) mice were studied. Fibers were voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique according to described procedures (Wang, Z. M., M. L. Messi, and O. Delbono. 1999. Biophys. J. 77:2709-2716). Charge movement and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration were recorded simultaneously. The maximum charge movement (Q(max)) recorded in young wild-type and transgenic mice was (mean +/- SEM, in nC microF(-1)): 52 +/- 2.1 (n = 46) and 54 +/- 1.9 (n = 38) (non-significant, ns), respectively, whereas in old wild-type and old transgenic mice the values were 36 +/- 2.1 (n = 32) and 49 +/- 2.3 (n = 35), respectively (p < 0.01). The peak intracellular calcium [Ca(2+)](i) recorded in young wild-type and transgenic mice was (in muM): 14.5 +/- 0.9 and 16 +/- 2.1 (ns), whereas in old wild-type and transgenic mice the values were 9.9 +/- 0.1 and 14 +/- 1.1 (p < 0.01), respectively. No significant changes in the voltage distribution or steepness of the Q-V or [Ca(2+)]-V relationship were found. These data support the concept that overexpression of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle prevents age-dependent reduction in charge movement and peak [Ca(2+)](i).

Separation of charge movement components in mammalian skeletal muscle fibres

1. Intramembrane charge movements, I(ICM), were measured in rat skeletal muscle fibres in response to voltage steps from a -90 mV holding potential to a wide test voltage range (-85 to 30 mV), using a double Vaseline-gap voltage-clamp technique. Solutions were designed to minimise ionic currents. Ca(2+) current was blocked by adding Cd(2+) (0.8 mM) to the external solution. In a subset of experiments Cd(2+) was omitted to determine which components of the charge movement best correlated with L-type Ca(2+) channel gating. 2. Detailed kinetic analysis of I(ICM) identified two major groups of charges. The first two components, designated Q(a) and Q(b), were the only charges moved by small depolarising steps. The second group of components, Q(c) and Q(d), showed a more positive voltage threshold, -35.6 +/- 2.0 mV, (n = 6) in external solution with Cd(2+), and -41.1 +/- 2.0 mV (n = 12) in external solution without Cd(2+). Notably, in external solution without Cd(2+) the voltage threshold of Ca(2+) current, I(Ca), activation had a similar value, being -38.1 +/- 2.4 mV. 3. The sum of three Boltzmann functions, Q(1), Q(2) and Q(3), showing progressively more positive transition voltages, could be fitted to charge versus voltage, Q(ICM)-V, plots. The three Boltzmann terms identified three charge components: Q(1) described the shallow voltage-dependent Q(a) and Q(b) charges, Q(2) and Q(3) described the steep voltage-dependent Q(c) and Q(d) charges. 4. In external solution without Cd(2+) the charge kinetics changed: a slow decaying phase was replaced by a pronounced delayed hump. Moreover, the transition voltages of the individual steady-state charge components were shifted towards negative potentials (from 6.3 to 8.2 mV). Nevertheless, the overall charge and steepness factors were conserved. 5. In conclusion, these experiments allowed a clear separation of four components of intramembrane charge movements in rat skeletal muscle, showing that there are no fundamental differences with respect to charge movement components between amphibian and mammalian twitch muscle. Moreover, Q(c) and Q(d) charge are correlated with L-type Ca(2+) channel gating.

Effects of denervation on Ca2+ channels in slow skeletal muscle fibers of the frog

Effects of denervation on calcium channels in slow skeletal muscle fibers in the frog (Rana pipiens) were studied using the three-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique in intact fibers. Ca2+, Ba2+, and Sr2+ currents were all significantly reduced in amplitude during the first 2 weeks after denervation. After nerve section the selectivity sequence Ba congruent with Ca > Sr was changed to Ba > Sr > Ca and the values for relative ratio increased from 1.04 to 2.65 for Ba2+ and from 0.58 to 1.20 for Sr2+ (with respect to Ca2+). Barium current saturation was more obvious in denervated fibers than in non-denervated fibers. The values obtained with the Michaelis-Menten type expression, I = Imax/(1+Kd/[Ba]e) were Kd = 2.7 mM and Imax = 20 microA/cm2 in fibers 2 weeks after nerve section compared with the values Kd = 4.4 mM and Imax = 60 microA/cm2 obtained in non-denervated fibers. Additionally, the effects of two calcium channel blockers (cobalt and nifedipine) were greater by a factor of two in denervated fibers than in non-denervated fibers. Three weeks or so after nerve section, all the biophysical properties studied began to show a tendency to recover toward the values obtained in non-denervated muscles (controls). These results suggest that calcium channels are modified or that there is a change in the types of calcium channels present in frog slow skeletal muscle fibers after denervation.

Prolonged depolarization promotes fast gating kinetics of L-type Ca2+ channels in mouse skeletal myotubes

The effects of prolonged conditioning depolarizations on the activation kinetics of skeletal L-type calcium currents (L-currents) were characterized in mouse myotubes using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. The sum of two exponentials was required to adequately fit L-current activation and enabled determination of both the amplitudes (A(fast) and A(slow)) and time constants (tau(fast) and tau(slow)) of each component comprising the macroscopic current. Prepulses sufficient to activate (200 ms) or inactivate (10 s) L-channels did not alter tau(fast), tau(slow), or the fractional contribution of either the fast (A(fast)/(A(fast) + A(slow)) or slow (A(slow)/(A(fast) + A(slow))) amplitudes of subsequently activated L-currents. Prolonged depolarizations (60 s to +40 mV) resulted in the conversion of skeletal L-current to a fast gating mode following brief repriming intervals (3-10 s at -80 mV). Longer repriming intervals (30-60 s at -80 mV) restored L-channels to a predominantly slow gating mode. Accelerated L-currents originated from L-type calcium channels since they were completely blocked by a dihydropyridine antagonist (3 microM nifedipine) and exhibited a voltage dependence of activation similar to that observed in the absence of conditioning prepulses. The degree of L-current acceleration produced following prolonged depolarization was voltage dependent. For test potentials between +10 and +50 mV, the fractional contribution of Afast to the total current decreased exponentially with the test voltage (e-fold approximately 38 mV). Thus, L-current acceleration was most significant at more negative test potentials (e.g. +10 mV). Prolonged depolarization also accelerated L-currents recorded from myotubes derived from RyR1-knockout (dyspedic) mice. These results indicate that L-channel acceleration occurs even in the absence of RyR1, and is therefore likely to represent an intrinsic property of skeletal L-channels. The results describe a novel experimental protocol used to demonstrate that slowly activating mammalian skeletal muscle L-channels are capable of undergoing rapid, voltage-dependent transitions during channel activation. The transitions underlying rapid L-channel activation may reflect rapid transitions of the voltage sensor used to trigger the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum during excitation-contraction coupling.

COOH-terminal truncated alpha(1S) subunits conduct current better than full-length dihydropyridine receptors

Skeletal muscle dihydropyridine (DHP) receptors function both as voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels and as voltage sensors for coupling membrane depolarization to release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In skeletal muscle, the principal or alpha(1S) subunit occurs in full-length ( approximately 10% of total) and post-transcriptionally truncated ( approximately 90%) forms, which has raised the possibility that the two functional roles are subserved by DHP receptors comprised of different sized alpha(1S) subunits. We tested the functional properties of each form by injecting oocytes with cRNAs coding for full-length (alpha(1S)) or truncated (alpha(1SDeltaC)) alpha subunits. Both translation products were expressed in the membrane, as evidenced by increases in the gating charge (Q(max) 80-150 pC). Thus, oocytes provide a robust expression system for the study of gating charge movement in alpha(1S), unencumbered by contributions from other voltage-gated channels or the complexities of the transverse tubules. As in recordings from skeletal muscle, for heterologously expressed channels the peak inward Ba(2+) currents were small relative to Q(max). The truncated alpha(1SDeltaC) protein, however, supported much larger ionic currents than the full-length product. These data raise the possibility that DHP receptors containing the more abundant, truncated form of the alpha(1S) subunit conduct the majority of the L-type Ca(2+) current in skeletal muscle. Our data also suggest that the carboxyl terminus of the alpha(1S) subunit modulates the coupling between charge movement and channel opening.

L-Type Ca(2+) channel charge movement and intracellular Ca(2+) in skeletal muscle fibers from aging mice

In this work we tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle fibers from aging mice exhibit a significant decline in myoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration resulting from a reduction in L-type Ca(2+) channel (dihydropyridine receptor, DHPR) charge movement. Skeletal muscle fibers from the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle were obtained from 5-7-, 14-18-, or 21-24-month-old FVB mice and voltage-clamped in the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique according to described procedures (Wang, Z.-M., M. L. Messi, and O. Delbono. 1999. Biophys. J. 77:2709-2716). Total charge movement or the DHPR charge movement was measured simultaneously with intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. The maximum charge movement (Q(max)) recorded (mean +/- SEM, in nC microF(-1)) was 53 +/- 3.2 (n = 47), 51 +/- 3.2 (n = 35) (non-significant, ns), and 33 +/- 1.9 (n = 32) (p < 0.01), for the three age groups, respectively. Q(max) corresponding to the DHPR was 43 +/- 3.3, 38 +/- 4.1 (ns), and 25 +/- 3.4 (p < 0.01) for the three age groups, respectively. The peak intracellular [Ca(2+)] recorded at 40 mV (in microM) was 15.7 +/- 0. 12, 16.7 +/- 0.18 (ns), and 8.2 +/- 0.07 (p < 0.01) for the three age groups, respectively. No significant changes in the voltage distribution or steepness of the Q-V or [Ca(2+)]-V relationship were found. These data support the concept that the reduction in the peak intracellular [Ca(2+)] results from a larger number of ryanodine receptors uncoupled to DHPRs in skeletal muscle fibers from aging mammals.

Patch-clamp recording of charge movement, Ca2+ current, and Ca2+ transients in adult skeletal muscle fibers

Intramembrane charge movement (Q), Ca(2+) conductance (G(m)) through the dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type Ca(2+) channel (DHPR) and intracellular Ca(2+) fluorescence (F) have been recorded simultaneously in flexor digitorum brevis muscle fibers of adult mice, using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. The voltage distribution of Q was fitted to a Boltzmann equation; the Q(max), V(1/2Q), and effective valence (z(Q)) values were 41 +/- 3.1 nC/microF, -17.6 +/- 0.7 mV, and 2.0 +/- 0.12, respectively. V(1/2G) and z(G) values were -0.3 +/- 0.06 mV and 5.6 +/- 0.34, respectively. Peak Ca(2+) transients did not change significantly after 30 min of recording. F was fit to a Boltzmann equation, and the values for V(F1/2) and z(F) were 6.2 +/- 0.04 mV and 2.4, respectively. F was adequately fit to the fourth power of Q. These results demonstrate that the patch-clamp technique is appropriate for recording Q, G(m), and intracellular [Ca(2+)] simultaneously in mature skeletal muscle fibers and that the voltage distribution of the changes in intracellular Ca(2+) can be predicted by a Hodgkin-Huxley model.

Effects of mutations causing hypokalaemic periodic paralysis on the skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes

1. A truncated form of the rabbit alpha1S Ca2+ channel subunit (alpha1SDeltaC) was expressed with the beta1b, alpha2delta and gamma auxiliary subunits in Xenopus laevis oocytes. After 5-7 days, skeletal muscle L-type currents were measured (469 +/- 48 nA in 10 mM Ba2+). All three of the auxiliary subunits were necessary to record significant L-type current. A rapidly inactivating, dihydropyridine-insensitive endogenous Ba2+ current was observed in oocytes expressing the auxiliary subunits without an exogenous alpha subunit. Expression of full-length alpha1S gave 10-fold smaller currents than the truncated form. 2. Three missense mutations causing hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (R528H in domain II S4 of the alpha1S subunit; R1239H and R1239G in domain IV S4) were introduced into alpha1SDeltaC and expressed in oocytes. L-type current was separated from the endogenous current by nimodipine subtraction. All three of the mutations reduced L-type current amplitude ( approximately 40 % for R528H, approximately 60-70 % for R1239H and R1239G). 3. The disease mutations altered the activation properties of L-type current. R528H shifted the G(V) curve approximately 5 mV to the left and modestly reduced the voltage dependence of the activation time constant, tauact. R1239H and R1239G shifted the G(V) curve approximately 5-10 mV to the right and dramatically slowed tauact at depolarized test potentials. 4. The voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation was not significantly altered by any of the disease mutations. 5. Wild-type and mutant L-type currents were also measured in the presence of (-)-Bay K8644, which boosted the amplitude approximately 5- to 7-fold. The effects of the mutations on the position of the G(V) curve and the voltage dependence of tauact were essentially the same as in the absence of agonist. Bay K-enhanced tail currents were slowed by R528H and accelerated by R1239H and R1239G. 6. We conclude that the domain IV mutations R1239H and R1239G have similar effects on the gating properties of the skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes, while the domain II mutation R528H has distinct effects. This result implies that the location of the substitutions is more important than their degree of conservation in determining their biophysical consequences.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 enhances rat skeletal muscle charge movement and L-type Ca2+ channel gene expression

1. We investigated whether insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), an endogenous potent activator of skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation, enhances L-type Ca2+ channel gene expression resulting in increased functional voltage sensors in single skeletal muscle cells. 2. Charge movement and inward Ca2+ current were recorded in primary cultured rat myoballs using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Ca2+ current and maximum charge movement (Qmax) were potentiated in cells treated with IGF-1 without significant changes in their voltage dependence. Peak Ca2+ current in control and IGF-1-treated cells was -7.8 +/- 0.44 and -10. 5 +/- 0.37 pA pF-1, respectively (P < 0.01), whilst Qmax was 12.9 +/- 0.4 and 22.0 +/- 0.3 nC microF-1, respectively (P < 0.01). 3. The number of L-type Ca2+ channels was found to increase in the same preparation. The maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of the high-affinity radioligand [3H]PN200-110 in control and IGF-1-treated cells was 1.21 +/- 0.25 and 3.15 +/- 0.5 pmol (mg protein)-1, respectively (P < 0.01). No significant change in the dissociation constant for [3H]PN200-110 was found. 4. Antisense RNA amplification showed a significant increase in the level of mRNA encoding the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1-subunit in IGF-1-treated cells. 5. This study demonstrates that IGF-1 regulates charge movement and the level of L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1-subunits through activation of gene expression in skeletal muscle cells.

Kinetics of inactivation and restoration from inactivation of the L-type calcium current in human myotubes

1. Inactivation and recovery kinetics of L-type calcium currents were measured in myotubes derived from satellite cells of human skeletal muscle using the whole cell patch clamp technique. 2. The time course of inactivation at potentials above the activation threshold was obtained from the decay of the current during 15 s depolarizing pulses. At subthreshold potentials, prepulses of different durations, followed by +20 mV test pulses, were used. The time course could be well described by single exponential functions of time. The time constant decreased from 17.8 +/- 7.5 s at -30 mV to 1.78 +/- 0.15 s at +50 mV. 3. Restoration from inactivation caused by 15 s depolarization to +20 mV was slowed by depolarization in the restoration interval. The time constant increased from 1.11 +/- 0.17 s at -90 mV to 7.57 +/- 2.54 s at -10 mV. 4. Restoration showed different kinetics depending on the duration of the conditioning depolarization. While the time constant was similar at restoration potentials of -90 and -50 mV after a 1 s conditioning prepulse, it increased with increasing prepulse duration at -50 mV and decreased at -90 mV. 5. The experiments showed that the rates of inactivation and restoration of the L-type calcium current in human myotubes were not identical when observed at the same potential. The results indicate the presence of more than one inactivated state and point to different voltage-dependent pathways for inactivation and restoration.

Gating of the L-type Ca channel in human skeletal myotubes: an activation defect caused by the hypokalemic periodic paralysis mutation R528H

The skeletal muscle L-type Ca channel serves a dual role as a calcium-conducting pore and as the voltage sensor coupling t-tubule depolarization to calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Mutations in this channel cause hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP), a human autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodic failure of muscle excitability that occurs in association with a decrease in serum potassium. The voltage-dependent gating of L-type Ca channels was characterized by recording whole-cell Ca currents in myotubes cultured from three normal individuals and from a patient carrying the HypoPP mutation R528H. We found two effects of the R528H mutation on the L-type Ca current in HypoPP myotubes: (1) a mild reduction in current density and (2) a significant slowing of the rate of activation. We also measured the voltage dependence of steady-state L-type Ca current inactivation and characterized, for the first time in a mammalian preparation, the kinetics of both entry into and recovery from inactivation over a wide range of voltages. The R528H mutation had no effect on the kinetics or voltage dependence of inactivation.

Gating of the L-type Ca channel in human skeletal myotubes: an activation defect caused by the hypokalemic periodic paralysis mutation R528H

The skeletal muscle L-type Ca channel serves a dual role as a calcium-conducting pore and as the voltage sensor coupling t-tubule depolarization to calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Mutations in this channel cause hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP), a human autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodic failure of muscle excitability that occurs in association with a decrease in serum potassium. The voltage-dependent gating of L-type Ca channels was characterized by recording whole-cell Ca currents in myotubes cultured from three normal individuals and from a patient carrying the HypoPP mutation R528H. We found two effects of the R528H mutation on the L-type Ca current in HypoPP myotubes: (1) a mild reduction in current density and (2) a significant slowing of the rate of activation. We also measured the voltage dependence of steady-state L-type Ca current inactivation and characterized, for the first time in a mammalian preparation, the kinetics of both entry into and recovery from inactivation over a wide range of voltages. The R528H mutation had no effect on the kinetics or voltage dependence of inactivation.

Dihydropyridine receptor and ryanodine receptor gene expression in long-term denervated rat muscles

Following disruption of the nerve supply, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles in rats are known to exhibit alterations in excitation-contraction coupling. After total RNA isolation from the denervated and the contralateral control muscles performed at 25 and 50 days following denervation, RNase protection assays were carried out with four cDNA probes specific for the skeletal and cardiac isoforms of both the DHPR alpha 1-subunit and the RyR. Longterm denervation increased the expression of the mRNA for skeletal DHPR and skeletal RyR in SOL muscle, but it also significantly increased the expression of the mRNA for the cardiac isoform of the DHPR alpha 1 subunit in EDL muscle.

Regulation of mouse skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel by activation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor

We investigated the modulation of the skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel/dihydropyridine receptor in response to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activation in single extensor digitorum longus muscle fibers from adult C57BL/6 mice. The L-type Ca2+ channel activity in its dual role as a voltage sensor and a selective Ca2+-conducting pore was recorded in voltage-clamp conditions. Peak Ca2+ current amplitude consistently increased after exposure to 20 ng/ml IGF-1 (EC50 = 5.6 +/- 1.8 nM). Peak IGF-1 effect on current amplitude at -20 mV was 210 +/- 18% of the control. Ca2+ current potentiation resulted from a shift in 13 mV of the Ca2+ current-voltage relationship toward more negative potentials. The IGF-1-induced facilitation of the Ca2+ current was not associated with an effect on charge movement amplitude and/or voltage distribution. These phenomena suggest that the L-type Ca2+ channel structures involved in voltage sensing are not involved in the response to the growth factor. The modulatory effect of IGF-1 on L-type Ca2+ channel was blocked by tyrosine kinase and PKC inhibitors, but not by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. IGF-1-dependent phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit was demonstrated by incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP to monolayers of adult fast-twitch skeletal muscles. IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of a protein at the 165 kDa band, corresponding to the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit. These results show that the activation of the IGF-1R facilitates skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel activity via a PKC-dependent phosphorylation mechanism.

Regulation of mouse skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel by activation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor

We investigated the modulation of the skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel/dihydropyridine receptor in response to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activation in single extensor digitorum longus muscle fibers from adult C57BL/6 mice. The L-type Ca2+ channel activity in its dual role as a voltage sensor and a selective Ca2+-conducting pore was recorded in voltage-clamp conditions. Peak Ca2+ current amplitude consistently increased after exposure to 20 ng/ml IGF-1 (EC50 = 5.6 +/- 1.8 nM). Peak IGF-1 effect on current amplitude at -20 mV was 210 +/- 18% of the control. Ca2+ current potentiation resulted from a shift in 13 mV of the Ca2+ current-voltage relationship toward more negative potentials. The IGF-1-induced facilitation of the Ca2+ current was not associated with an effect on charge movement amplitude and/or voltage distribution. These phenomena suggest that the L-type Ca2+ channel structures involved in voltage sensing are not involved in the response to the growth factor. The modulatory effect of IGF-1 on L-type Ca2+ channel was blocked by tyrosine kinase and PKC inhibitors, but not by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. IGF-1-dependent phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit was demonstrated by incorporation of [gamma-32P]ATP to monolayers of adult fast-twitch skeletal muscles. IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of a protein at the 165 kDa band, corresponding to the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit. These results show that the activation of the IGF-1R facilitates skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel activity via a PKC-dependent phosphorylation mechanism.

L-type Ca2+ channel-insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor signaling impairment in aging rat skeletal muscle

The present study investigates the modulation of skeletal muscle L-type Ca2+ channel receptor in response to insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activation. Single extensor digitorum longus and multifiber preparations were isolated from 7- (young), 14- (middle-age) and 28-(old) month- Fisher 344 X Brown Norway rats. Calcium current was potentiated in fibers from young and middle-age rats due to a -13 mV shift in half-activation potential. Fibers from old animals failed to show current potentiation in response to IGF-1R activation. IGF-1 induced a ten-fold increase in the phosphorylation of the L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit in young and middle-age fibers but failed to induce phosphorylation in old fibers. Addition of 0.5 mM Ca2+ increased the IGF-1 induced phosphorylation in young and middle-age fibers three fold but not in old fibers. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, and the PKC inhibitor peptide, 19-36, decreased IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of alpha1 subunit to 15% in young and middle-age fibers but failed to inhibit phosphorylation in old fibers. These results demonstrate that the IGF-1-L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1 subunit signaling is impaired in skeletal muscle fibers from old animals due to alterations in the trk-PKC pathway.

L-type calcium current activation in cultured human myotubes

The time course of activation of the skeletal muscle L-type calcium channel was studied in voltage-clamped myotubes derived from human satellite cells. The slow L-type current was isolated by inactivating faster calcium current components using appropriate prepulses or by subtracting the currents not blocked by 5 microM nifedipine. The L-type current exhibited a single exponential activation and time constants which showed little voltage dependence in the range +10 to +50mV. Currents blocked by nifedipine could be partially restored by UV-light flash photolysis. When a flash of light was applied during a depolarizing step, the activation time course of the resulting inward current contained a rapid, almost instantaneous component followed by a slower component. The amplitude of the rapid component was different when the flash was applied at different times during the depolarizing step: depolarization first increased and then decreased the fraction of channels which could rapidly be restored from the block by photolysis. Plotted versus time after the onset of the depolarization this fraction closely matched the time course of the L-type current obtained before the block by nifedipine. This indicates that the slow gating recations of the Ca2+ channel remain functional in the nifedipine-blocked state. Large conditioning depolarizations which had been shown to enhance the speed of L-type current activation in frog muscle fibres showed no effect in human myotubes. Numerical simulations using a gating scheme proposed for frog muscle demonstrate that such differences can be caused by changing just a single kinetic parameter.

Ca2+ current activation rate correlates with alpha 1 subunit density

We report here that L-type Ca2+ channels activate rapidly in myotubes expressing current at high density and slowly in myotubes expressing current at low density. Partial block of the current in individual cells does not slow activation, indicating that Ca2+ influx does not link activation rate to current density. Activation rate is positively correlated with the density of gating charge (Qmax) associated with the L-type Ca2+ channels. The range of values for Qmax, and the relationship between activation rate and Qmax, are similar for myotubes expressing native or recombinant L-type Ca2+ channels, whereas peak Ca2+ current density is approximately 3-fold higher for native channels. Taken together, these results suggest that Ca2+ channel density can govern activation kinetics. Our findings have important important implications for studies of ion channel function because they suggest that biophysical properties can be significantly influenced by channel density, both in heterologous expression systems and in native tissues.

Excitation-calcium release uncoupling in aged single human skeletal muscle fibers

The biological mechanisms underlying decline in muscle power and fatigue with age are not completely understood. The contribution of alterations in the excitation-calcium release coupling in single muscle fibers was explored in this work. Single muscle fibers were voltage-clamped using the double Vaseline gap technique. The samples were obtained by needle biopsy of the vastus lateralis (quadriceps) from 9 young (25-35 years; 25.9 +/- 9.1; 5 female and 4 male) and 11 old subjects (65-75 years; 70.5 +/- 2.3; 6 f, 5 m). Data were obtained from 36 and 39 fibers from young and old subjects, respectively. Subjects included in this study had similar physical activity. Denervated and slow-twitch muscle fibers were excluded from this study. A significant reduction of maximum charge movement (Qmax) and DHP-sensitive Ca current were recorded in muscle fibers from the 65-75 group. Qmax values were 7.6 +/- 0.9 and 3.2 +/- 0.3 nC/muF for young and old muscle fibers, respectively (P < 0.01). No evidences of charge inactivation or interconversion (charge 1 to charge 2) were found. The peak Ca current was (-)4.7 +/- 0.08 and (-)2.15 +/- 0.11 muA/muF for young and old fibers, respectively (P < 0.01). The peak calcium transient studied with mag-fura-2 (400 microM) was 6.3 +/- 0.4 microM and 4.2 +/- 0.3 microM for young and old muscle fibers, respectively. Caffeine (0.5 mM) induced potentiation of the peak calcium transient in both groups. The decrease in the voltage-/Ca-dependent Ca release ratio in old fibers (0.18 +/- 0.02) compared to young fibers (0.47 +/- 0.03) (P < 0.01), was recorded in the absence of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium depletion. These data support a significant reduction of the amount of Ca available for triggering mechanical responses in aged skeletal muscle and, the reduction of Ca release is due to DHPR-ryanodine receptor uncoupling in fast-twitch fibers. These alterations can account, at least partially for the skeletal muscle function impairment associated with aging.

Ca2+ modulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in rat skeletal muscle fibers

Ca2+ transients and the rate of Ca2+ release (dCaREL/dt) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in voltage-clamped, fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibers from the rat were studied with the double Vaseline gap technique and using mag-fura-2 and fura-2 as Ca2+ indicators. Single pulse experiments with different returning potentials showed that Ca2+ removal from the myoplasm is voltage independent. Thus, the myoplasmic Ca2+ removal (dCaREM/dt) was studied by fitting the decaying phase of the Ca2+ transient (Melzer, Ríos & Schneider, 1986) and dCaREL/dt was calculated as the difference between dCa/dt and dCaREM/dt. The fast Ca2+ release decayed as a consequence of Ca2+ inactivation of Ca2+ release. Double pulse experiments showed inactivation of the fast Ca2+ release depending on the prepulse duration. At constant interpulse interval, long prepulses (200 msec) induced greater inactivation of the fast Ca2+ release than shorter depolarizations (20 msec). The correlation (r) between the myoplasmic [Ca2+]i and the inhibited amount of Ca2+ release was 0.98. The [Ca2+]i for 50% inactivation of dCaREL/dt was 0.25 microM, and the minimum number of sites occupied by Ca2+ to inactivate the Ca2+ release channel was 3.0. These data support Ca2+ binding and inactivation of SR Ca2+ release.

Calcium transients in single mammalian skeletal muscle fibres

1. We studied the transient changes in myoplasmic Ca2+ concentration under current- and voltage-clamp (double Vaseline-gap technique) in cut fibres of rat extensor digitorum longus muscle using mag-fura-2 (furaptra) as Ca2+ indicator, at 3.6-3.8 microns sarcomere length and 17 degrees C. Mag-fura-5 and fura-2 were also used in order to characterize some aspects of the Ca2+ transients. 2. The peak [Ca2+] in response to a single action potential was 4.6 +/- 0.4 microM (n = 5). The time to peak of the Ca2+ transient was 4.6 +/- 0.42 ms, with half-width of 8.2 +/- 1.5 ms, time constant of the rising phase 1.15 +/- 0.25 ms, time constant of the decaying phase 3.26 +/- 0.65 ms, and delay between action potential and Ca2+ transient 2.0 +/- 0.2 ms. 3. Ca2+ transients were studied under voltage-clamp conditions at different voltages and pulse durations. The rising phase showed a complex temporal course with a fast initial increase and a second component. Both components were separated by a plateau or a brief decrease of the Ca2+ concentration. The peak Ca2+ transient was 10.5 +/- 1.3 microM (n = 22). 4. After interrupting the pulse, Ca2+ concentration decayed exponentially. The time constant of decay of the Ca2+ transient increased with the pulse voltage and duration, reaching a maximum value at potentials more positive than +10 mV and pulses longer than 200 ms. An analysis of the decaying phases of the Ca2+ transients suggests that only the removal process operates after fibre repolarization. 5. The rate of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum was calculated using the Melzer, Ríos & Schneider model. The value of 17.2 +/- 3.1 micronM ms-1 (n = 10) estimated in these calculations was intermediate between those obtained by other authors from cut frog muscles (10 microM ms-1) and intact frog fibres (100 microM ms-1) using antipyrylazo III (AP III) as the Ca2+ indicator.

Calcium current inactivation in denervated rat skeletal muscle fibres

1. The inactivation of the calcium current (ICa) was studied in single extensor digitorum longus muscle fibres of the rat. Denervation was performed by surgically removing 6-8 mm of the sciatic nerve at the sciatic notch. Electrical recordings were carried out using the double Vaseline-gap technique. Normal fibres were used as controls. 2. The time course of the onset of ICa inactivation was studied with double pulse experiments. Denervation after 14 days slowed down the onset of the inactivation process. Two depolarizing pulses with variable interpulse potential were applied. The rate of recovery from ICa inactivation was analysed with long interpulse intervals (9 to 1 s). The time constants for ICa inactivation (tau i) at -90 mV potential were 4.3 and 2.2 in normal and 14 day-denervated fibres respectively. 3. The onset of ICa inactivation was studied with a double pulse protocol with variable duration of the first pulse with constant interval (120 ms) to the second pulse (300 ms). The plot of [ICa (pulse 2)/ICa(pulse 1)]--first pulse duration relationship was fitted with a single exponential equation. The inactivation time constant (tau h) values for normal and denervated fibres were 428 and 619 ms, respectively. 4. The h infinity-Vm relationship for denervated fibres was shifted toward more negative potentials and ICa did not fully inactivate with large prepulses. The h infinity-Vm relationship was fitted with a Boltzmann equation I/Imax = 1 - (A/[1 + (exp ((Vm1/2 - Vm)/kh))]) where Vm is the potential during the conditioning pulse and A is an amplitude factor. In normal fibres, Vm1/2 (mid-point) and kh (slope) values were -28.7 mV and 7.6 mV, respectively. In 14-day-denervated fibres they were -42.2 and 8.6 mV, respectively. 5. A temperature rise from 17 to 27 degrees C greatly increased the inactivation rate of ICa. This effect was similar in control and denervated fibres. The temperature coefficient quotient (Q10) values for ICa amplitude in normal and denervated fibres were 2.4 (n = 8) and 2.3 (n = 8), respectively. The Q10 values for the inactivation time constant (tau h) were 5.14 and 5.25, respectively. ICa decay during 1 s pulses was fitted to a single exponential function in normal fibres at 17 and 27 degrees C; the time constant values were tau h = 460 +/- 53 ms and tau h = 92 +/- 17 ms, respectively. The time constants of denervated fibres at both temperatures were tau h = 644 +/- 102 ms and 146 +/- 17 ms, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ca2+ current and charge movement in adult single human skeletal muscle fibres

1. The Vaseline-gap technique was used to record calcium currents (ICa) and charge movement in single cut fibres from normal human muscle. Experiments were carried out in 2 or 10 mM-extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) and at 17 or 27 degrees C. 2. The passive electrical properties of the fibres with this technique were: membrane resistance for unit length rm = 59.4 k omega cm; longitudinal resistance per unit length ri = 4.9 M omega/cm; longitudinal resistance per unit length under the Vaseline seals re = 438 M omega/cm; specific membrane resistance Rm = 1.176 k omega cm2; input capacitance = 5.53 nF; specific membrane capacitance = 8.9 microF/cm2. 3. The maximum amplitude of ICa at 17 degrees C was: in 2 mM [Ca2+]o, -0.42 microA/microF and in 10 mM [Ca2+]o, -1.44 microA/microF. At 27 degrees C and in 10 mM [Ca2+]o, it increased to -3.04 microA/microF. The calculated temperature coefficient (Q10) for the increase in amplitude from 17 to 27 degrees C was 2.1. 4. Ca2+ permeability (PCa) was calculated using the Goldman-Katz relation; in 2 mM [Ca2+]o at 17 degrees C, PCa = 1.26 x 10(-6) cm/s; in 10 mM [Ca2+]o at 17 degrees C, PCa = 2.23 x 10(-6) cm/s; in 10 mM [Ca2+]o at 27 degrees C, PCa = 4.03 x 10(-6) cm/s. 5. The activation curve calculated from the PCa was shifted by 10 mV to positive potentials when raising [Ca2+]o from 2 to 10 mM. Increasing the temperature did not change the curve. The mid-point potentials (Va 1/2) and steepness (k) of the activation curves were: at 17 degrees C, in 2 mM [Ca2+]o, Va 1/2 = -1.53 mV and k = 6.7 mV; in 10 mM [Ca2+]o, Va 1/2 = 9.96 mV and k = 6.8 mV; at 27 degrees C and 10 mM [Ca2+]o, Va 1/2 = 11.3 mV and k = 7.7 mV. The activation time constant in 10 mM [Ca2+]o reached a plateau at potentials positive to 10 mV, with a value of 93.8 ms at 17 degrees C and 17.4 ms at 27 degrees C. The calculated Q10 was 4.5. 6. The deactivation of the current was studied from tail currents at different membrane potentials in 10 mM [Ca2+]o.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)