猪的骨骼肌生长发育研究进展

瘦肉率对生猪产业来说是一个极其重要的经济指标,而这一指标完全取决于骨骼肌的生长发育。因此,猪骨骼肌生长发育机理的研究是十分必要的。然而,在早期由于各种因素的限制,猪骨骼肌单个基因的研究一直进展缓慢;相反,以小鼠为模型,其骨骼肌单基因的功能研究却取得了较大进展。在这一时期,影响肌决定和肌分化的基因,如MRFs家族和MEF2家族相继被发现,这些基因在猪的肌肉发育中也发挥着同样的作用。然而,这些结果并不能很好地揭示骨骼肌发育过程中复杂的基因间互作关系。随着近年来芯片和测序技术的不断发展,更多人试图从整个转录谱的水平来阐述猪肌肉发育的分子机理,并且也取得了较大的进展。为了对猪骨骼肌生长发育有一个更为清晰的认识,该文将以目前猪骨骼肌生长发育研究结果为基础,同时结合模式动物小鼠骨骼肌单基因的研究成果,对猪的骨骼肌生长发育分子调控机理进行详细的阐述。     

Spatiotemporal Expression of Connexin 39 and -43 During Myoblast Differentiation in Cultured Cells and in the Mouse Embryo

Connexin39 (Cx39) and connexin43 (Cx43) are known to be expressed during development of skeletal muscles. Here we have compared the expression pattern of both connexins during differentiation of established C₂C₁₂ mouse myoblasts and in the mouse embryo. Cx43 is highly abundant in undifferentiated myoblasts, but no Cx39 protein was detected in these cells. Upon differentiation into myotubes, Cx39 expression increased. The consecutive expression of these connexins was also observed in the mouse embryo. Cx39 and Cx43 were found in different plaques in accordance with the notion that Cx43 is exclusively expressed in myoblasts and Cx39 in myotubes. Thus, differentiating C₂C₁₂ cells in culture can serve to study the involvement of gap junctions in myogenesis, since expression of corresponding Cx39 and Cx43 proteins appears to be very similar as in the mouse embryo.     

“Importin” signaling roles for import proteins: The function of Drosophila importin-7 (DIM-7) in muscle-tendon signaling

The formation of a mature myotendinous junction (MTJ) between a muscle and its site of attachment is a highly regulated process that involves myofiber migration, cell-cell signaling, and culminates with the stable adhesion between the adjacent muscle-tendon cells. Improper establishment or maintenance of muscle-tendon attachment sites results in a decrease in force generation during muscle contraction and progressive muscular dystrophies in vertebrate models. Many studies have demonstrated the important role of the integrins and integrin-associated proteins in the formation and maintenance of the MTJ. We recently demonstrated that moleskin (msk), the gene that encodes for Drosophila importin-7 (DIM-7), is required for the proper formation of muscle-tendon adhesion sites in the developing embryo. Further studies demonstrated an enrichment of DIM-7 to the ends of muscles where the muscles attach to their target tendon cells. Genetic analysis supports a model whereby msk is required in the muscle and signals via the secreted epidermal growth factor receptor (Egfr) ligand Vein to regulate tendon cell maturation. These data demonstrate a novel role for the canonical nuclear import protein DIM-7 in establishment of the MTJ.     

Temperature until the 'eyed stage' of embryogenesis programmes the growth trajectory and muscle phenotype of adult Atlantic salmon

We investigated how adult growth in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) was affected by changing embryonic temperature from fertilization until the completion of eye pigmentation. Fertilized eggs from several hundred families were divided between four temperature treatments (2, 5, 8 or 10 degrees C) and subsequently reared in identical conditions in replicated tanks. Fish exposed to 2 and 5 degrees C treatments were significantly smaller at smoltification than groups at higher temperatures, but showed substantial compensatory catch-up growth. Remarkably, temperature during this short window of embryogenesis dictated adult myogenic phenotype three years later with significant treatment effects on the muscle fibre final number (FFN), maximum diameter, nuclear density and size distribution. FFN was highest for the 5 degrees C treatment and was reduced at higher and lower treatment temperatures. Our results require direct temperature effects on embryonic tissues, such as the stem cell-containing external cell layer, in order to produce persistent effects on juvenile and adult growth.     

Sexual dimorphism and androgen regulation of satellite cell population in differentiating rat levator ani muscle

The bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA) muscles of rats show remarkable androgen-dependent sexual dimorphism. These muscles are additionally of interest because they are thought to indirectly mediate sexual differentiation of innervating spinal motoneurons. This sexual differentiation of the BC/LA is thought to be due to an increase in muscle units in the male rat during the first week after birth. We examined the cellular basis of this differentiation by studying satellite cells in the LA of postnatal day 2.5 rats, when sexual dimorphism is already prominent. Two experiments were performed in which LA satellite cells were measured: (1) wild-type (WT) males were compared with females and to Tfm androgen receptor mutant males, which are androgen insensitive despite producing masculine amounts of testosterone, and (2) females treated prenatally and/or postnatally with testosterone proprionate were compared with females receiving vehicle injections. Our results indicate that WT males have a larger LA and a greater number of satellite cells in the LA muscle than females or Tfm males. However, satellite cell density was similar for all three groups. Prenatal testosterone treatment masculinized LA size and resulted in a corresponding increase in satellite cell populations, while postnatal TP treatment resulted in a tendency for increased satellite cell density without a significant increase in LA size. Taken together, these studies indicate that satellite cells in the neonatal LA muscle are sexually dimorphic, and that this dimorphism likely results from perinatal actions of androgens on androgen receptors.