The effects of force inhibition by sodium vanadate on cross-bridge binding, force redevelopment, and Ca2+ activation in cardiac muscle

The force of the myosin motor sets cooperativity in thin filament activation of skeletal muscles

Contraction of striated muscle is regulated by a dual mechanism involving both thin, actin-containing filament and thick, myosin-containing filament. Thin filament is activated by Ca2+ binding to troponin, leading to tropomyosin displacement that exposes actin sites for interaction with myosin motors, extending from the neighbouring stress-activated thick filaments. Motor attachment to actin contributes to spreading activation along the thin filament, through a cooperative mechanism, still unclear, that determines the slope of the sigmoidal relation between isometric force and pCa (−log[Ca2+]), estimated by Hill coefficient nH. We use sarcomere-level mechanics in demembranated fibres of rabbit skeletal muscle activated by Ca2+ at different temperatures (12–35 °C) to show that nH depends on the motor force at constant number of attached motors. The definition of the role of motor force provides fundamental constraints for modelling the dynamics of thin filament activation and defining the action of small molecules as possible therapeutic tools.

Recessive MYH7-related myopathy in two families

Myopathies due to recessive MYH7 mutations are exceedingly rare, reported in only two families to date. We describe three patients from two families (from Australia and the UK) with a myopathy caused by recessive mutations in MYH7. The Australian family was homozygous for a c.5134C > T, p.Arg1712Trp mutation, whilst the UK patient was compound heterozygous for a truncating (c.4699C > T; p.Gln1567*) and a missense variant (c.4664A > G; p.Glu1555Gly). All three patients shared key clinical features, including infancy/childhood onset, pronounced axial/proximal weakness, spinal rigidity, severe scoliosis, and normal cardiac function. There was progressive respiratory impairment necessitating non-invasive ventilation despite preserved ambulation, a combination of features often seen in SEPN1- or NEB-related myopathies. On biopsy, the Australian proband showed classical myosin storage myopathy features, while the UK patient showed multi-minicore like areas. To establish pathogenicity of the Arg1712Trp mutation, we expressed mutant MYH7 protein in COS-7 cells, observing abnormal mutant myosin aggregation compared to wild-type. We describe skinned myofiber studies of patient muscle and hypertrophy of type II myofibers, which may be a compensatory mechanism. In summary, we have expanded the phenotype of ultra-rare recessive MYH7 disease, and provide novel insights into associated changes in muscle physiology.

Sarcomere length dependent effects on the interaction between cTnC and cTnI in skinned papillary muscle strips

Sarcomere length dependent activation (LDA) of myocardial force development is the cellular basis underlying the Frank-Starling law of the heart, but it is still elusive how the sarcomeres detect the length changes and convert them into altered activation of thin filament. In this study we investigated how the C-domain of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) functionally and structurally responds to the comprehensive effects of the Ca(2+), crossbridge, and sarcomere length of chemically skinned myocardial preparations. Using our in situ technique which allows for simultaneous measurements of time-resolved FRET and mechanical force of the skinned myocardial preparations, we measured changes in the FRET distance between cTnI(167C) and cTnC(89C), labeled with FRET donor and acceptor, respectively, as a function of [Ca(2+)], crossbridge state and sarcomere length of the skinned muscle preparations. Our results show that [Ca(2+)], cross-bridge feedback and sarcomere length have different effects on the structural transition of the C-domain cTnI. In particular, the interplay between crossbridges and sarcomere length has significant impacts on the functional structural change of the C-domain of cTnI in the relaxed state. These novel observations suggest the importance of the C-domain of cTnI and the dynamic and complex interplay between various components of myofilament in the LDA mechanism.

Role of cardiac troponin I carboxy terminal mobile domain and linker sequence in regulating cardiac contraction

Inhibition of striated muscle contraction at resting Ca(2+) depends on the C-terminal half of troponin I (TnI) in thin filaments. Much focus has been on a short inhibitory peptide (Ip) sequence within TnI, but structural studies and identification of disease-associated mutations broadened emphasis to include a larger mobile domain (Md) sequence at the C-terminus of TnI. For Md to function effectively in muscle relaxation, tight mechanical coupling to troponin's core-and thus tropomyosin-is presumably needed. We generated recombinant, human cardiac troponins containing one of two TnI constructs: either an 8-amino acid linker between Md and the rest of troponin (cTnILink8), or an Md deletion (cTnI1-163). Motility assays revealed that Ca(2+)-sensitivity of reconstituted thin filament sliding was markedly increased with cTnILink8 (∼0.9 pCa unit leftward shift of speed-pCa relation compared to WT), and increased further when Md was missing entirely (∼1.4 pCa unit shift). Cardiac Tn's ability to turn off filament sliding at diastolic Ca(2+) was mostly (61%), but not completely eliminated with cTnI1-163. TnI's Md is required for full inhibition of unloaded filament sliding, although other portions of troponin-presumably including Ip-are also necessary. We also confirm that TnI's Md is not responsible for superactivation of actomyosin cycling by troponin.

In situ time-resolved FRET reveals effects of sarcomere length on cardiac thin-filament activation

During cardiac thin-filament activation, the N-domain of cardiac troponin C (N-cTnC) binds to Ca(2+) and interacts with the actomyosin inhibitory troponin I (cTnI). The interaction between N-cTnC and cTnI stabilizes the Ca(2+)-induced opening of N-cTnC and is presumed to also destabilize cTnI-actin interactions that work together with steric effects of tropomyosin to inhibit force generation. Recently, our in situ steady-state FRET measurements based on N-cTnC opening suggested that at long sarcomere length, strongly bound cross-bridges indirectly stabilize this Ca(2+)-sensitizing N-cTnC-cTnI interaction through structural effects on tropomyosin and cTnI. However, the method previously used was unable to determine whether N-cTnC opening depends on sarcomere length. In this study, we used time-resolved FRET to monitor the effects of cross-bridge state and sarcomere length on the Ca(2+)-dependent conformational behavior of N-cTnC in skinned cardiac muscle fibers. FRET donor (AEDANS) and acceptor (DDPM)-labeled double-cysteine mutant cTnC(T13C/N51C)AEDANS-DDPM was incorporated into skinned muscle fibers to monitor N-cTnC opening. To study the structural effects of sarcomere length on N-cTnC, we monitored N-cTnC opening at relaxing and saturating levels of Ca(2+) and 1.80 and 2.2-μm sarcomere length. Mg(2+)-ADP and orthovanadate were used to examine the structural effects of noncycling strong-binding and weak-binding cross-bridges, respectively. We found that the stabilizing effect of strongly bound cross-bridges on N-cTnC opening (which we interpret as transmitted through related changes in cTnI and tropomyosin) become diminished by decreases in sarcomere length. Additionally, orthovanadate blunted the effect of sarcomere length on N-cTnC conformational behavior such that weak-binding cross-bridges had no effect on N-cTnC opening at any tested [Ca(2+)] or sarcomere length. Based on our findings, we conclude that the observed sarcomere length-dependent positive feedback regulation is a key determinant in the length-dependent Ca(2+) sensitivity of myofilament activation and consequently the mechanism underlying the Frank-Starling law of the heart.

Synergistic role of ADP and Ca(2+) in diastolic myocardial stiffness

Diastolic dysfunction in heart failure patients is evident from stiffening of the passive properties of the ventricular wall. Increased actomyosin interactions may significantly limit diastolic capacity, however, direct evidence is absent. From experiments at the cellular and whole organ level, in humans and rats, we show that actomyosin-related force development contributes significantly to high diastolic stiffness in environments where high ADP and increased diastolic [Ca(2+) ] are present, such as the failing myocardium. Our basal study provides a mechanical mechanism which may partly underlie diastolic dysfunction. Heart failure (HF) with diastolic dysfunction has been attributed to increased myocardial stiffness that limits proper filling of the ventricle. Altered cross-bridge interaction may significantly contribute to high diastolic stiffness, but this has not been shown thus far. Cross-bridge interactions are dependent on cytosolic [Ca(2+) ] and the regeneration of ATP from ADP. Depletion of myocardial energy reserve is a hallmark of HF leading to ADP accumulation and disturbed Ca(2+) handling. Here, we investigated if ADP elevation in concert with increased diastolic [Ca(2+) ] promotes diastolic cross-bridge formation and force generation and thereby increases diastolic stiffness. ADP dose-dependently increased force production in the absence of Ca(2+) in membrane-permeabilized cardiomyocytes from human hearts. Moreover, physiological levels of ADP increased actomyosin force generation in the presence of Ca(2+) both in human and rat membrane-permeabilized cardiomyocytes. Diastolic stress measured at physiological lattice spacing and 37°C in the presence of pathological levels of ADP and diastolic [Ca(2+) ] revealed a 76 ± 1% contribution of cross-bridge interaction to total diastolic stress in rat membrane-permeabilized cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of creatine kinase (CK), which increases cytosolic ADP, in enzyme-isolated intact rat cardiomyocytes impaired diastolic re-lengthening associated with diastolic Ca(2+) overload. In isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts, CK inhibition increased ventricular stiffness only in the presence of diastolic [Ca(2+) ]. We propose that elevations of intracellular ADP in specific types of cardiac disease, including those where myocardial energy reserve is limited, contribute to diastolic dysfunction by recruiting cross-bridges, even at low Ca(2+) , and thereby increase myocardial stiffness.

Hormone replacement therapy improves contractile function and myonuclear organization of single muscle fibres from postmenopausal monozygotic female twin pairs

Ageing is associated with a decline in muscle mass and strength leading to increased physical dependency in old age. Postmenopausal women experience a greater decline than men of similar age in parallel with the decrease in female sex steroid hormone production. We recruited six monozygous female twin pairs (55-59 years old) where only one twin pair was on hormone replacement therapy (HRT use = 7.8 ± 4.3 years) to investigate the association of HRT with the cytoplasmic volume supported by individual myonuclei (myonuclear domain (MND) size,) together with specific force at the single fibre level. HRT use was associated with a significantly smaller (∼27%; P < 0.05) mean MND size in muscle fibres expressing the type I but not the IIa myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform. In comparison to non-users, higher specific force was recorded in HRT users both in muscle fibres expressing type I (∼27%; P < 0.05) and type IIa (∼23%; P < 0.05) MyHC isoforms. These differences were fibre-type dependent, i.e. the higher specific force in fast-twitch muscle fibres was primarily caused by higher force per cross-bridge while slow-twitch fibres relied on both a higher number and force per cross-bridge. HRT use had no effect on fibre cross-sectional area (CSA), velocity of unloaded shortening (V0) and relative proportion of MyHC isoforms. In conclusion, HRT appears to have significant positive effects on both regulation of muscle contraction and myonuclei organization in postmenopausal women.

Deletion of 1-43 amino acids in cardiac myosin essential light chain blunts length dependency of Ca(2+) sensitivity and cross-bridge detachment kinetics

The role of cardiac myosin essential light chain (ELC) in the sarcomere length (SL) dependency of myofilament contractility is unknown. Therefore, mechanical and dynamic contractile properties were measured at SL 1.9 and 2.2 μm in cardiac muscle fibers from two groups of transgenic (Tg) mice: 1) Tg-wild-type (WT) mice that expressed WT human ventricular ELC and 2) Tg-Δ43 mice that expressed a mutant ELC lacking 1-43 amino acids. In agreement with previous studies, Ca(2+)-activated maximal tension decreased significantly in Tg-Δ43 fibers. pCa(50) (-log(10) [Ca(2+)](free) required for half maximal activation) values at SL of 1.9 μm were 5.64 ± 0.02 and 5.70 ± 0.02 in Tg-WT and Tg-Δ43 fibers, respectively. pCa(50) values at SL of 2.2 μm were 5.70 ± 0.01 and 5.71 ± 0.01 in Tg-WT and Tg-Δ43 fibers, respectively. The SL-mediated increase in the pCa(50) value was statistically significant only in Tg-WT fibers (P < 0.01), indicating that the SL dependency of myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity was blunted in Tg-Δ43 fibers. The SL dependency of cross-bridge (XB) detachment kinetics was also blunted in Tg-Δ43 fibers because the decrease in XB detachment kinetics was significant (P < 0.001) only at SL 1.9 μm. Thus the increased XB dwell time at the short SL augments Ca(2+) sensitivity at short SL and thus blunts SL-mediated increase in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. Our data suggest that the NH(2)-terminal extension of cardiac ELC not only augments the amplitude of force generation, but it also may play a role in mediating the SL dependency of XB detachment kinetics and myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity.

Loss of muscle strength during sepsis is in part regulated by glucocorticoids and is associated with reduced muscle fiber stiffness

Sepsis is associated with impaired muscle function but the role of glucocorticoids in sepsis-induced muscle weakness is not known. We tested the role of glucocorticoids in sepsis-induced muscle weakness by treating septic rats with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU38486. In addition, normal rats were treated with dexamethasone to further examine the role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of muscle strength. Sepsis was induced in rats by cecal ligation and puncture, and muscle force generation (peak twitch and tetanic tension) was determined in lower extremity muscles. In other experiments, absolute and specific force as well as stiffness (reflecting the function of actomyosin cross bridges) were determined in isolated skinned muscle fibers from control and septic rats. Sepsis and treatment with dexamethasone resulted in reduced maximal twitch and tetanic force in intact isolated extensor digitorum longus muscles. The absolute and specific maximal force in isolated muscle fibers was reduced during sepsis together with decreased fiber stiffness. These effects of sepsis were blunted (but not abolished) by RU38486. The results suggest that muscle weakness during sepsis is at least in part regulated by glucocorticoids and reflects loss of contractility at the cellular (individual muscle fiber) level. In addition, the results suggest that reduced function of the cross bridges between actin and myosin (documented as reduced muscle fiber stiffness) may be involved in sepsis-induced muscle weakness. An increased understanding of mechanisms involved in loss of muscle strength will be important for the development of new treatment strategies in patients with this debilitating consequence of sepsis.

Congenital myopathy-causing tropomyosin mutations induce thin filament dysfunction via distinct physiological mechanisms

In humans, congenital myopathy-linked tropomyosin mutations lead to skeletal muscle dysfunction, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying such dysfunction remain obscure. Recent studies have suggested a unifying mechanism by which tropomyosin mutations partially inhibit thin filament activation and prevent proper formation and cycling of myosin cross-bridges, inducing force deficits at the fiber and whole-muscle levels. Here, we aimed to verify this mechanism using single membrane-permeabilized fibers from patients with three tropomyosin mutations (TPM2-null, TPM3-R167H and TPM2-E181K) and measuring a broad range of parameters. Interestingly, we identified two divergent, mutation-specific pathophysiological mechanisms. (i) The TPM2-null and TPM3-R167H mutations both decreased cooperative thin filament activation in combination with reductions in the myosin cross-bridge number and force production. The TPM3-R167H mutation also induced a concomitant reduction in thin filament length. (ii) In contrast, the TPM2-E181K mutation increased thin filament activation, cross-bridge binding and force generation. In the former mechanism, modulating thin filament activation by administering troponin activators (CK-1909178 and EMD 57033) to single membrane-permeabilized fibers carrying tropomyosin mutations rescued the thin filament activation defect associated with the pathophysiology. Therefore, administration of troponin activators may constitute a promising therapeutic approach in the future.

Is functional hypertrophy and specific force coupled with the addition of myonuclei at the single muscle fiber level?

Muscle force is typically proportional to muscle size, resulting in constant force normalized to muscle fiber cross-sectional area (specific force). Mice overexpressing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) exhibit a proportional gain in muscle force and size, but not the myostatin-deficient mice. In an attempt to explore the role of the cytoplasmic volume supported by individual myonuclei [myonuclear domain (MND) size] on functional capacity of skeletal muscle, we have investigated specific force in relation to MND and the content of the molecular motor protein, myosin, at the single muscle fiber level from myostatin-knockout (Mstn(-/-)) and IGF-1-overexpressing (mIgf1(+/+)) mice. We hypothesize that the addition of extra myonuclei is a prerequisite for maintenance of specific force during muscle hypertrophy. A novel algorithm was used to measure individual MNDs in 3 dimensions along the length of single muscle fibers from the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus and the slow-twitch soleus muscle. A significant effect of the size of individual MNDs in hypertrophic muscle fibers on both specific force and myosin content was observed. This effect was muscle cell type specific and suggested there is a critical volume individual myonuclei can support efficiently. The large MNDs found in fast muscles of Mstn(-/-) mice were correlated with the decrement in specific force and myosin content in Mstn(-/-) muscles. Thus, myostatin inhibition may not be able to maintain the appropriate MND for optimal function.

Diaphragm muscle weakness in an experimental porcine intensive care unit model

In critically ill patients, mechanisms underlying diaphragm muscle remodeling and resultant dysfunction contributing to weaning failure remain unclear. Ventilator-induced modifications as well as sepsis and administration of pharmacological agents such as corticosteroids and neuromuscular blocking agents may be involved. Thus, the objective of the present study was to examine how sepsis, systemic corticosteroid treatment (CS) and neuromuscular blocking agent administration (NMBA) aggravate ventilator-related diaphragm cell and molecular dysfunction in the intensive care unit. Piglets were exposed to different combinations of mechanical ventilation and sedation, endotoxin-induced sepsis, CS and NMBA for five days and compared with sham-operated control animals. On day 5, diaphragm muscle fibre structure (myosin heavy chain isoform proportion, cross-sectional area and contractile protein content) did not differ from controls in any of the mechanically ventilated animals. However, a decrease in single fibre maximal force normalized to cross-sectional area (specific force) was observed in all experimental piglets. Therefore, exposure to mechanical ventilation and sedation for five days has a key negative impact on diaphragm contractile function despite a preservation of muscle structure. Post-translational modifications of contractile proteins are forwarded as one probable underlying mechanism. Unexpectedly, sepsis, CS or NMBA have no significant additive effects, suggesting that mechanical ventilation and sedation are the triggering factors leading to diaphragm weakness in the intensive care unit.

Orthovanadate and orthophosphate inhibit muscle force via two different pathways of the myosin ATPase cycle

Measurements of the half-sarcomere stiffness during activation of skinned fibers from rabbit psoas (sarcomere length 2.5 μm, temperature 12°C) indicate that addition of 0.1 mM orthovanadate (Vi) to the solution produces a drop to ∼1/2 in number of force-generating myosin motors, proportional to the drop in steady isometric force (T(0)), an effect similar to that produced by the addition of 10 mM phosphate (Pi). However, in contrast to Pi, Vi does not change the rate of isometric force development. The depression of T(0) in a series of activations in presence of Vi is consistent with an apparent second-order rate constant of ∼1 × 10(3) M(-1) s(-1). The rate constant of T(0) recovery in a series of activations after removal of Vi is 3.5 × 10(-2) s(-1). These results, together with the finding in the literature that the ATPase rate is reduced by Vi in proportion to isometric force, are reproduced with a kinetic model of the acto-myosin cross-bridge cycle where binding of Vi to the force-generating actomyosin-ADP state induces detachment from actin to form a stable myosin-ADP-Vi complex that is not able to complete the hydrolysis cycle and reenters the cycle only via reattachment to actin upon activation in Vi-free solution.

Disrupted myosin cross-bridge cycling kinetics triggers muscle weakness in nebulin-related myopathy

Nebulin is a giant protein expressed at high levels in skeletal muscle. Mutations in the nebulin gene (NEB) lead to muscle weakness and various congenital myopathies. Despite increasing clinical and scientific interest, the pathogenesis of weakness remains unknown. The present study, therefore, aims at unraveling the underlying molecular mechanisms. Hence, we recorded and analyzed the mechanics as well as the X-ray diffraction patterns of human membrane-permeabilized single muscle fibers expressing nebulin mutations. Results demonstrated that, during contraction, the cycling rate of myosin heads attaching to actin is dramatically perturbed, causing a reduction in the fraction of myosin-actin interactions in the strong binding state. This phenomenon prevents complete thin-filament activation, more especially proper and full tropomyosin movement, further limiting additional binding of myosin cross-bridges. At the cell level, this reduces the force-generating capacity and, overall, provokes muscle weakness. To reverse such a negative cascade of events, future potential therapeutic interventions should, therefore, focus on the triggering component, the altered myosin cross-bridge cycling kinetics.

Preferential skeletal muscle myosin loss in response to mechanical silencing in a novel rat intensive care unit model: underlying mechanisms

The muscle wasting and impaired muscle function in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients delay recovery from the primary disease, and have debilitating consequences that can persist for years after hospital discharge. It is likely that, in addition to pernicious effects of the primary disease, the basic life support procedures of long-term ICU treatment contribute directly to the progressive impairment of muscle function. This study aims at improving our understanding of the mechanisms underlying muscle wasting in ICU patients by using a unique experimental rat ICU model where animals are mechanically ventilated, sedated and pharmacologically paralysed for duration varying between 6 h and 14 days. Results show that the ICU intervention induces a phenotype resembling the severe muscle wasting and paralysis associated with the acute quadriplegic myopathy (AQM) observed in ICU patients, i.e. a preferential loss of myosin, transcriptional down-regulation of myosin synthesis, muscle atrophy and a dramatic decrease in muscle fibre force generation capacity. Detailed analyses of protein degradation pathways show that the ubiquitin proteasome pathway is highly involved in this process. A sequential change in localisation of muscle-specific RING finger proteins 1/2 (MuRF1/2) observed during the experimental period is suggested to play an instrumental role in both transcriptional regulation and protein degradation. We propose that, for those critically ill patients who develop AQM, complete mechanical silencing, due to pharmacological paralysis or sedation, is a critical factor underlying the preferential loss of the molecular motor protein myosin that leads to impaired muscle function or persisting paralysis.

The molecular basis of the steep force-calcium relation in heart muscle

Contraction of heart muscle is regulated by binding of Ca²⁺ ions to troponin in the muscle thin filaments, causing a change in filament structure that allows myosin binding and force generation. The steady-state relationship between force and Ca²⁺ concentration in demembranated ventricular trabeculae is well described by the Hill equation, with parameters EC₅₀, the Ca²⁺ concentration that gives half the maximum force, and n_H, the Hill coefficient describing the steepness of the Ca²⁺ dependence. Although each troponin molecule has a single regulatory Ca²⁺ site, n_H is typically around 3, indicating co-operativity in the regulatory mechanism. This review focuses on the molecular basis of this co-operativity, and in particular on the popular hypothesis that force-generating myosin cross-bridges are responsible for the effect. Although cross-bridges can switch on thin filaments at low MgATP concentrations, we argue that the evidence from contracting heart muscle cells shows that this mechanism does not operate in more physiological conditions, and would not play a significant role in the intact heart. Interventions that alter maximum force and EC₅₀ do not in general produce a significant change in n_H. Complete abolition of force generation by myosin inhibitors does not affect the n_H values for either Ca²⁺ binding to the thin filaments or changes in troponin structure, and both values match that for force generation in the absence of inhibitors. These results provide strong evidence that the co-operative mechanism underlying the high value of n_H is not due to force-generating cross-bridges but is rather an intrinsic property of the thin filaments.

EMD 57033 partially reverses ventilator-induced diaphragm muscle fibre calcium desensitisation

In critically ill patients, ventilator-induced diaphragm muscle fibre dysfunction (VIDD) contributes to weaning problems, increasing hospitalisation time and related costs. VIDD pathophysiology remains partially unknown, especially the characterisation of the contractile dysfunction. In the present study, it was hypothesised that Ca(2+) activation is affected during VIDD. Ca(2+) sensitivity of contraction was therefore evaluated at the single skinned diaphragm muscle fibre level in piglets randomised into sham operation or 5-day mechanical ventilation. Ca(2+) sensitivities of force and stiffness in fibres were significantly impaired in all mechanically ventilated piglets compared with sham-operated controls, suggesting a less efficient Ca(2+) activation of cells, i.e. a lower relative number of strongly attached cross-bridges for each sub-maximal concentration of Ca(2+). In an attempt to test whether this negative effect of VIDD is reversible, single muscle fibres were exposed to the EMD 57033 Ca(2+) sensitiser. EMD 57033 (30 microM) improved the Ca(2+) sensitivity of force and stiffness in fibres from animals that were mechanically ventilated for 5 days as well as in sham-operated piglets. Thus, EMD 57033 partly restored the Ca(2+) activation of cells, reducing VIDD. This finding offers a strong basis for evaluating the effect of Ca(2+) sensitisers on diaphragm function in vivo.

Cooperative cross-bridge activation of thin filaments contributes to the Frank-Starling mechanism in cardiac muscle

Myosin cross-bridges play an important role in the regulation of thin-filament activation in cardiac muscle. To test the hypothesis that sarcomere length (SL) modulation of thin-filament activation by strong-binding cross-bridges underlies the Frank-Starling mechanism, we inhibited force and strong cross-bridge binding to intermediate levels with sodium vanadate (Vi). Force and stiffness varied proportionately with [Ca(2+)] and [Vi]. Increasing [Vi] (decreased force) reduced the pCa(50) of force-[Ca(2+)] relations at 2.3 and 2.0 microm SL, with little effect on slope (n(H)). When maximum force was inhibited to approximately 40%, the effects of SL on force were diminished at lower [Ca(2+)], whereas at higher [Ca(2+)] (pCa < 5.6) the relative influence of SL on force increased. In contrast, force inhibition to approximately 20% significantly reduced the sensitivity of force-[Ca(2+)] relations to changes in both SL and myofilament lattice spacing. Strong cross-bridge binding cooperatively induced changes in cardiac troponin C structure, as measured by dichroism of 5' iodoacetamido-tetramethylrhodamine-labeled cardiac troponin C. This apparent cooperativity was reduced at shorter SL. These data emphasize that SL and/or myofilament lattice spacing modulation of the cross-bridge component of cardiac thin-filament activation contributes to the Frank-Starling mechanism.

Defective regulation of contractile function in muscle fibres carrying an E41K beta-tropomyosin mutation

A novel E41K beta-tropomyosin (beta-Tm) mutation, associated with congenital myopathy and muscle weakness, was recently identified in a woman and her daughter. In both patients, muscle weakness was coupled with muscle fibre atrophy. It remains unknown, however, whether the E41K beta-Tm mutation directly affects regulation of muscle contraction, contributing to the muscle weakness. To address this question, we studied a broad range of contractile characteristics in skinned muscle fibres from the two patients and eight healthy controls. Results showed decreases (i) in speed of contraction at saturated Ca(2+) concentration (apparent rate constant of force redevelopment (k(tr)) and unloaded shortening speed (V(0))); and (ii) in contraction sensitivity to Ca(2+) concentration, in fibres from patients compared with controls, suggesting that the mutation has a negative effect on contractile function, contributing to the muscle weakness. To investigate whether these negative impacts are reversible, we exposed skinned muscle fibres to the Ca(2+) sensitizer EMD 57033. In fibres from patients, 30 mum of EMD 57033 (i) had no effect on speed of contraction (k(tr) and V(0)) at saturated Ca(2+) concentration but (ii) increased Ca(2+) sensitivity of contraction, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach in patients carrying the E41K beta-Tm mutation.