Inhibition of the ATP-dependent interaction of actin and myosin by the catalytic domain of the myosin light chain kinase of smooth muscle: possible involvement in smooth muscle relaxation.
(9/5414)
Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) phosphorylates the light chain of smooth muscle myosin enabling its interaction with actin. This interaction initiates smooth muscle contraction. MLCK has another role that is not attributable to its phosphorylating activity, i.e., it inhibits the ATP-dependent movement of actin filaments on a glass surface coated with phosphorylated myosin. To analyze the inhibitory effect of MLCK, the catalytic domain of MLCK was obtained with or without the regulatory sequence adjacent to the C-terminal of the domain, and the inhibitory effect of the domain was examined by the movement of actin filaments. All the domains work so as to inhibit actin filament movement whether or not the regulatory sequence is included. When the domain includes the regulatory sequence, calmodulin in the presence of calcium abolishes the inhibition. Since the phosphorylation reaction is not involved in regulating the movement by MLCK, and a catalytic fragment that shows no kinase activity also inhibits movement, the kinase activity is not related to inhibition. Higher concentrations of MLCK inhibit the binding of actin filaments to myosin-coated surfaces as well as their movement. We discuss the dual roles of the domain, the phosphorylation of myosin that allows myosin to cross-bridge with actin and a novel function that breaks cross-bridging. (+info)
Altered crossbridge kinetics in the alphaMHC403/+ mouse model of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
(10/5414)
A mutation in the cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain, Arg403Gln (R403Q), causes a severe form of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) in humans. We used small-amplitude (0.25%) length-perturbation analysis to examine the mechanical properties of skinned left ventricular papillary muscle strips from mouse hearts bearing the R403Q mutation in the alpha-myosin heavy chain (alphaMHC403/+). Myofibrillar disarray with variable penetrance occurred in the left ventricular free wall of the alphaMHC403/+ hearts. In resting strips (pCa 8), dynamic stiffness was approximately 40% greater than in wild-type strips, consistent with elevated diastolic stiffness reported for murine hearts with FHC. At pCa 6 (submaximal activation), strip isometric tension was approximately 3 times higher than for wild-type strips, whereas at pCa 5 (maximal activation), tension was marginally lower. At submaximal calcium activation the characteristic frequencies of the work-producing (b) and work-absorbing (c) steps of the crossbridge were less in alphaMHC403/+ strips than in wild-type strips (b=11+/-1 versus 15+/-1 Hz; c= 58+/-3 versus 66+/-3 Hz; 27 degrees C). At maximal calcium activation, strip oscillatory power was reduced (0. 53+/-0.25 versus 1.03+/-0.18 mW/mm3; 27 degrees C), which is partly attributable to the reduced frequency b, at which crossbridge work is maximum. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the R403Q mutation reduces the strong binding affinity of myosin for actin. Myosin heads may accumulate in a preforce state that promotes cooperative activation of the thin filament at submaximal calcium but blunts maximal tension and oscillatory power output at maximal calcium. The calcium-dependent effect of the mutation (whether facilitating or debilitating), together with a variable degree of fibrosis and myofibrillar disorder, may contribute to the diversity of clinical symptoms observed in murine FHC. (+info)
Age-related changes in contractile properties of single skeletal fibers from the soleus muscle.
(11/5414)
Peak absolute force, specific tension (peak absolute force per cross-sectional area), cross-sectional area, maximal unloaded shortening velocity (Vo; determined by the slack test), and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform compositions were determined in 124 single skeletal fibers from the soleus muscle of 12-, 24-, 30-, 36-, and 37-mo-old Fischer 344 Brown Norway F1 Hybrid rats. All fibers expressed the type I MHC isoform. The mean Vo remained unchanged from 12 to 24 mo but did decrease significantly from the 24- to 30-mo time period (from 1.71 +/- 0.13 to 0.85 +/- 0.09 fiber lengths/s). Fiber cross-sectional area remained constant until 36 mo of age, at which time there was a 20% decrease from the values at 12 mo of age (from 5,558 +/- 232 to 4,339 +/- 280 micrometer2). A significant decrease in peak absolute force of single fibers occurred between 12 and 24 mo of age (from 51 +/- 2 x 10(-5) to 35 +/- 2 x 10(-5) N) and then remained constant until 36 mo, when another 43% decrease occurred. Like peak absolute force, the specific tension decreased significantly between 12 and 24 mo by 20%, and another 32% decline was observed at 37 mo. Thus, by 24 mo, there was a dissociation between the loss of fiber cross-sectional area and force. The results suggest time-specific changes of the contractile properties with aging that are independent of each other. Underlying mechanisms responsible for the time-dependent and contractile property-specific changes are unknown. Age-related changes in the molecular dynamics of myosin may be the underlying mechanism for altered force production. The presence of more than one beta/slow MHC isoform may be the mechanism for the altered Vo with age. (+info)
Alterations in diaphragm contractility after nandrolone administration: an analysis of potential mechanisms.
(12/5414)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential mechanisms underlying the improved contractility of the diaphragm (Dia) in adult intact male hamsters after nandrolone (Nan) administration, given subcutaneously over 4 wk via a controlled-release capsule (initial dose: 4.5 mg. kg-1. day-1; with weight gain, final dose: 2.7 mg. kg-1. day-1). Control (Ctl) animals received blank capsules. Isometric contractile properties of the Dia were determined in vitro after 4 wk. The maximum velocity of unloaded shortening (Vo) was determined in vitro by means of the slack test. Dia fibers were classified histochemically on the basis of myofibrillar ATPase staining and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), and the relative interstitial space was quantitated. Ca2+-activated myosin ATPase activity was determined by quantitative histochemistry in individual diaphragm fibers. Myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms were identified electrophoretically, and their proportions were determined by using scanning densitometry. Peak twitch and tetanic forces, as well as Vo, were significantly greater in Nan animals compared with Ctl. The proportion of type IIa Dia fibers was significantly increased in Nan animals. Nan increased the CSA of all fiber types (26-47%), whereas the relative interstitial space decreased. The relative contribution of fiber types to total costal Dia area was preserved between the groups. Proportions of MHC isoforms were similar between the groups. There was a tendency for increased expression of MHC2B with Nan. Ca2+-activated myosin ATPase activity was increased 35-39% in all fiber types in Nan animals. We conclude that, after Nan administration, the increase in Dia specific force results from the relatively greater Dia CSA occupied by hypertrophied muscle fibers, whereas the increased ATPase activity promotes a higher rate of cross-bridge turnover and thus increased Vo. We speculate that Nan in supraphysiological doses have the potential to offset or ameliorate conditions associated with enhanced proteolysis and disordered protein turnover. (+info)
Fluorescence changes of a label attached near the myosin active site on nucleotide binding in rat skeletal muscle fibres.
(13/5414)
1. Trinitrophenyl AMP (TNP-AMP) in the concentration range 10-300 microM induced an increase in fluorescence intensity at around 530 nm in skinned skeletal muscle fibres freshly obtained from rat psoas muscle. 2. The fluorescence intensity of the fibres depended on TNP-AMP concentration up to approximately 200 microM. The Kd of TNP-AMP binding to the muscle fibres was 38.0 +/- 8.4 microM (mean +/- s.d., n = 4 measurements) in three fibres. TNP-AMP fluorescence was readily washed out. 3. Various nucleotides affected the fluorescence of the fibres incubated in 20 microM TNP-AMP. MgATP (1 mM) and caged ATP (5 mM) reduced the fluorescence in 20 microM TNP-AMP by more than 40 % of the value measured in the absence of nucleotide. 4. When the fibres were stretched to almost no filament overlap, the extent of the quenching of the TNP-AMP (20 microM) fluorescence due to ATP binding was reduced by 14 %. This might be explained by assuming that the association of the thin filament affected the TNP-AMP fluorescence in muscle fibres. 5. The distance between the active site and the specific site for TNP was measured by the fluorescence resonance energy transfer between N-methylanthraniloyl-ATP (Mant-ATP) bound to the active site and the TNP-AMP bound to the TNP-specific site in muscle fibres. The results showed that the distance between the two may be less than 2 nm. 6. It may be concluded that the fluorescence intensity at 530 nm in skinned muscle fibres in low concentrations of TNP-AMP changes directly reflecting the conformational state of the nucleotide-binding region that is determined by the binding of nucleotides. (+info)
Modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation through substrate-dependent changes in fibronectin conformation.
(14/5414)
Integrin-mediated cell adhesion to extracellular matrices provides signals essential for cell cycle progression and differentiation. We demonstrate that substrate-dependent changes in the conformation of adsorbed fibronectin (Fn) modulated integrin binding and controlled switching between proliferation and differentiation. Adsorption of Fn onto bacterial polystyrene (B), tissue culture polystyrene (T), and collagen (C) resulted in differences in Fn conformation as indicated by antibody binding. Using a biochemical method to quantify bound integrins in cultured cells, we found that differences in Fn conformation altered the quantity of bound alpha5 and beta1 integrin subunits but not alphav or beta3. C2C12 myoblasts grown on these Fn-coated substrates proliferated to different levels (B > T > C). Immunostaining for muscle-specific myosin revealed minimal differentiation on B, significant levels on T, and extensive differentiation on C. Differentiation required binding to the RGD cell binding site in Fn and was blocked by antibodies specific for this site. Switching between proliferation and differentiation was controlled by the levels of alpha5beta1 integrin bound to Fn, and differentiation was inhibited by anti-alpha5, but not anti-alphav, antibodies, suggesting distinct integrin-mediated signaling pathways. Control of cell proliferation and differentiation through conformational changes in extracellular matrix proteins represents a versatile mechanism to elicit specific cellular responses for biological and biotechnological applications. (+info)
Altered cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in mutant mice with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
(15/5414)
Excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) remains poorly understood, despite the fact that the genetic alterations are well defined. We characterized calcium cycling and contractile activation in trabeculae from a mutant mouse model of FHC (Arg403Gln knockin, alpha-myosin heavy chain). Wild-type mice of the same strain and age ( approximately 20 weeks old) served as controls. During twitch contractions, peak intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was higher in mutant muscles than in the wild-type (P < 0.05), but force development was equivalent in the two groups. Ca2+ transient amplitude increased dramatically in both groups as stimulation rate increased from 0.2 to 4 Hz. Nevertheless, developed force fell at the higher stimulation rates in the mutants but not in controls (P < 0.05). The steady-state force-[Ca2+]i relationship was less steep in mutants (Hill coefficient, 2.94 +/- 0.27 vs. 5.28 +/- 0.64; P > 0.003), with no changes in the [Ca2+]i required for 50% activation or maximal Ca2+-activated force. Thus, calcium cycling and myofilament properties are both altered in FHC mutant mice: more Ca2+ is mobilized to generate force, but this does not suffice to maintain contractility at high stimulation rates. (+info)
Modification of left ventricular hypertrophy by chronic etomixir treatment.
(16/5414)
1. Etomoxir (2[6(4-chlorophenoxy)hexyl]oxirane-2-carboxylate), an irreversible carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1 inhibitor, reduces the expression of the myocardial foetal gene programme and the functional deterioration during heart adaption to a pressure-overload. Etomoxir may, however, also improve the depressed myocardial function of hypertrophied ventricles after a prolonged pressure overload. 2. To test this hypothesis, we administered racemic etomoxir (15 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 6 weeks) to rats with ascending aortic constriction beginning 6 weeks after imposing the pressure overload. 3. The right ventricular/body weight ratio increased (P<0.05) by 20% in etomoxir treated rats (n = 10) versus untreated rats with ascending aortic constriction (n = 10). Left ventricular weight was increased (P<0.05) by 8%. Etomoxir blunted the increase in left ventricular chamber volume. Etomoxir raised the proportion of V1 isomyosin (35+/-4% versus 24+/-2%; P<0.05) and decreased the percentage of V3 isomyosin (36+/-4% versus 48+/-3%; P<0.05). 4. Maximum isovolumically developed pressure was higher in etomoxir treated rats than in untreated pressure overloaded rats (371+/-22 versus 315+/-23 mmHg; P<0.05). Maximum rates of ventricular pressure development (14,800+/-1310 versus 12,340+/-1030mmHg s(-1); P<0.05) and decline (6440+/-750 versus 5040+/-710 mmHg s(-1); P<0.05) were increased as well. Transformation of pressure values to ventricular wall stress data revealed an improved myocardial function which could partially account for the enhanced function of the whole left ventricle. 5. The co-ordinated action of etomoxir on ventricular mass, geometry and myocardial phenotype enhanced thus the pressure generating capacity of hypertrophied pressure-overloaded left ventricles and delayed the deleterious dilative remodelling. (+info)