Modulation of muscle atrophy, fatigue and MLC phosphorylation by MuRF1 as indicated by hindlimb suspension studies on MuRF1-KO mice

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2010:2010:693741. doi: 10.1155/2010/693741. Epub 2010 Jun 24.

Abstract

MuRF1 is a member of the TRIM/RBCC superfamily, a gene family that encompasses a large variety of proteins, all sharing the conserved TRIM (Tripartite Motive) sequential array of RING, B-box, and coiled-coil domains. Within this family, MuRF1(also named TRIM63) is a specialized member that contributes to the development of muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. Here we studied MuRF1's role in muscle atrophy during muscle unloading induced by hindlimb suspension. Consistent with previous studies, we found that MuRF1 inactivation leads to an attenuated muscle atrophy response. The amount of protection was higher as compared to the denervation model, and within the 10 day-suspension period the soleus muscle was spared from atrophy in MuRF1-KO mice. Contractility studies on hindlimb suspended muscle tissues suggested that MuRF1's functions extend beyond muscle trophicity and implicate MuRF1 in muscle fatigue and MLC phosphorylation control: soleus muscle from MuRF1-KO mice fatigued significantly faster and in addition showed a reduced posttetanic twitch potentiation. Thus the present work further established the role of MuRF1 in muscle atrophy and for the first time shows that MuRF1 plays a role in muscle fatigue and twitch potentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Hindlimb Suspension*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Muscle Fatigue / physiology*
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle Proteins / deficiency
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Muscular Atrophy / metabolism*
  • Muscular Atrophy / physiopathology*
  • Myosin Light Chains / metabolism*
  • Organ Size
  • Phosphorylation
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / deficiency
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Muscle Proteins
  • Myosin Light Chains
  • Tripartite Motif Proteins
  • Trim63 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases