Human Vastus Lateralis Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Using the Weil-Blakesley Conchotome

Percutaneous muscle biopsy using the Weil-Blakesley conchotome is well established in both clinical and research practice. It is a safe, effective and well tolerated technique. The Weil-Blakesley conchotome has a sharp biting tip with a 4 - 6 mm wide hollow. It is inserted through a 5 - 10 mm skin incision and can be maneuvered for controlled tissue penetration. The tip is opened and closed within the tissue and then rotated through 90 -180° to cut the muscle. The amount of muscle obtained following repeated sampling can vary from 20 mg to 290 mg which can be processed for both histology and molecular studies. The wound needs to be kept dry and vigorous physical activity kept to a minimum for approximately 72 hr although normal levels of activity can restart immediately following the procedure. This procedure is safe and effective when close attention is paid to the selection of subjects, full asepsis and post procedure care.  Both right and left vastus lateralis are suitable for biopsy dependent on participant preference.     

小鼠肌母细胞的增殖与分化

通过对小鼠肌母细胞C2C12的培养,研究C2C12细胞的增殖与分化的关系以及胰岛素在细胞分化过程中的作用。在对照组中,C2C12细胞增殖占了明显的优势,细胞形态几乎没有发生变化;而在实验组中,C2C12细胞在换为分化培养基24小时后,就出现了部分细胞衰亡和死亡的现象,尤其是在48小时细胞的死亡率达到最高,存活细胞开始从增殖期进入分化期,72小时出现了少量肌管,在96小时细胞分化效果达到最好。而在添加了胰岛素的分化培养基中的细胞分化效果明显好于没有添加胰岛素的分化培养基中的细胞,结果表明,胰岛素促进C2C12细胞的分化。     

Using Isolated Mitochondria from Minimal Quantities of Mouse Skeletal Muscle for High throughput Microplate Respiratory Measurements

Skeletal muscle mitochondria play a specific role in many disease pathologies. As such, the measurement of oxygen consumption as an indicator of mitochondrial function in this tissue has become more prevalent. Although many technologies and assays exist that measure mitochondrial respiratory pathways in a variety of cells, tissue and species, there is currently a void in the literature in regards to the compilation of these assays using isolated mitochondria from mouse skeletal muscle for use in microplate based technologies. Importantly, the use of microplate based respirometric assays is growing among mitochondrial biologists as it allows for high throughput measurements using minimal quantities of isolated mitochondria. Therefore, a collection of microplate based respirometric assays were developed that are able to assess mechanistic changes/adaptations in oxygen consumption in a commonly used animal model. The methods presented herein provide step-by-step instructions to perform these assays with an optimal amount of mitochondrial protein and reagents, and high precision as evidenced by the minimal variance across the dynamic range of each assay.     

The JAK2/STAT3 Signal Pathway Regulates the Expression of Genes Related to Skeletal Muscle Development and Energy Metabolism in Mice and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Cells

The gene encoding a β-galactosidase from Entevobacter cloacae GAO was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The nucleotide sequence of the insert of a positive clone had an open reading frame of 3084 bp that encoded a polypeptide of 1028 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 116,677 daltons. The amino acid sequence of β-galactosidase deduced from the nucleotide sequence, especially the sequence around the putative active site and of the fourteen regions, showed significant homology to β-galactosidases of other microorganisms, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Clostridium acetobutylicum.     

Preparation and Respirometric Assessment of Mitochondria Isolated from Skeletal Muscle Tissue Obtained by Percutaneous Needle Biopsy

Respirometric profiling of isolated mitochondria is commonly used to investigate electron transport chain function. We describe a method for obtaining samples of human Vastus lateralis, isolating mitochondria from minimal amounts of skeletal muscle tissue, and plate based respirometric profiling using an extracellular flux (XF) analyzer. Comparison of respirometric profiles obtained using 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 μg of mitochondria indicate that 1.0 μg is sufficient to measure respiration and that 5.0 μg provides most consistent results based on comparison of standard errors. Western blot analysis of isolated mitochondria for mitochondrial marker COX IV and non-mitochondrial tissue marker GAPDH indicate that there is limited non-mitochondrial contamination using this protocol. The ability to study mitochondrial respirometry in as little as 20 mg of muscle tissue allows users to utilize individual biopsies for multiple study endpoints in clinical research projects.     

肥胖诱导的骨骼肌萎缩机制研究进展

骨骼肌是人体氨基酸和蛋白质的主要贮存、代谢库,其正常功能和代谢过程受到多种病理因素的影响。骨骼肌萎缩发生于骨骼肌稳态严重失衡状态下,对患者生活和社会医疗造成了沉重负担。近年来,由于世界肥胖人群数量激增,肥胖诱导的骨骼肌萎缩正日益成为公共卫生的严峻挑战之一。肥胖诱导的骨骼肌萎缩过程涉及多种信号分子或通路的改变,如泛素蛋白酶系统、自噬溶酶体系统、胰岛素/IGF1-PI3K-Akt、肌肉生长抑制素、白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子等;这些信号分子或通路在肥胖状态下被激活或抑制后,可共同影响蛋白质合成/分解平衡进而造成骨骼肌萎缩。基于上述信号分子或通路,系统总结并讨论了肥胖诱导的骨骼肌萎缩机制,以期为寻找缓解/治疗肥胖诱导的肌萎缩靶点和进一步开发利用天然植物化学物提供理论依据。     

小鼠骨骼肌纤维类型定量PCR内参基因的筛选

旨在筛选定量PCR检测不同骨骼肌纤维类型的稳定内参基因,为骨骼肌的能量和糖代谢等功能研究提供基础数据.试验选用6周龄小鼠,采集腓肠肌(Gastrocnemius muscle,GAS)、比目鱼肌(Soleus,SOL)、胫骨前肌(Tibialis anterior muscle,TA)和趾长伸肌(Extensor di...     

Micropatterning and Alignment of Skeletal Muscle Myoblasts Using Microflowed Plasma Process

ObjectivesThe primary objective of the study was to optimize micropatterning environments using the microchannel flowed plasma process for controlling the orientation and behaviour of skeletal muscle cells. We have studied the cellular patterning and alignment of skeletal myoblast cells on the various micropattern widths developed on glass substrates.Materials and MethodsIn this method, we have utilized the microchannel flowed plasma process to create micropatterned self-assembled monolayers of octadecyltrichlorosilane and 3-aminopropyltrichlorosilane for creating cell adhesive widths of 20, 200 and 1000 microns on the glass substrates. The micropatterned substrates were characterized by using fluorescein 5(6)-isothiocyanate. Thereafter, the substrates were used to culture and pattern C2C12 and primary rat skeletal muscle cells. Further, we have studied the spatiotemporal variation in the orientation of the cells by using bright field and fluorescence microscopy. The microscopic images were analysed by using orientation order parameter and orientation distribution analysis.ResultsFITC based characterization of micropatterns reveals that the adopted process for micropatterning can effectively create cell adhesive widths with dimensions comparable to the diameter of myofiber. Microscopic observations and the orientation order parameter analysis reveal the precise alignment and specific orientation of myoblasts along the designated cell adhesive widths that closely mimics the physiological scenario. Both the cells showed immediate alignment within smaller cell adhesive widths of 20 and 200 μm. Actin cytoskeletal staining and its orientation distribution analysis of micropattrned C2C12 cells emphasises the influence of micropatterned environment on cytoskeletal actin orientation.ConclusionThis study corroborates the alignment of the myoblasts using surface cues facilitated by changing surface chemistry of the glass substrates. The study promotes the application of a simple micropatterning technique as a useful tool to regulate the orientation and behaviour of skeletal muscle cells. Also, the study emphasizes the role of spatial topography created by surface modification and its effect on cell adhesion and communication of alignment information across the micropatterns. The microchannel flowed plasma process could be applied to selectively pattern different adherent cell types, which could prove to be a useful platform for the exploration of various cellular processes.     

Measurement of Maximum Isometric Force Generated by Permeabilized Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Analysis of the contractile properties of chemically skinned, or permeabilized, skeletal muscle fibers offers a powerful means by which to assess muscle function at the level of the single muscle cell. Single muscle fiber studies are useful in both basic science and clinical studies. For basic studies, single muscle fiber contractility measurements allow investigation of fundamental mechanisms of force production, and analysis of muscle function in the context of genetic manipulations. Clinically, single muscle fiber studies provide useful insight into the impact of injury and disease on muscle function, and may be used to guide the understanding of muscular pathologies. In this video article we outline the steps required to prepare and isolate an individual skeletal muscle fiber segment, attach it to force-measuring apparatus, activate it to produce maximum isometric force, and estimate its cross-sectional area for the purpose of normalizing the force produced.     

Human Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Procedures Using the Modified Bergstr?m Technique

The percutaneous biopsy technique enables researchers and clinicians to collect skeletal muscle tissue samples. The technique is safe and highly effective. This video describes the percutaneous biopsy technique using a modified Bergström needle to obtain skeletal muscle tissue samples from the vastus lateralis of human subjects. The Bergström needle consists of an outer cannula with a small opening (‘window’) at the side of the tip and an inner trocar with a cutting blade at the distal end. Under local anesthesia and aseptic conditions, the needle is advanced into the skeletal muscle through an incision in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia. Next, suction is applied to the inner trocar, the outer trocar is pulled back, skeletal muscle tissue is drawn into the window of the outer cannula by the suction, and the inner trocar is rapidly closed, thus cutting or clipping the skeletal muscle tissue sample. The needle is rotated 90° and another cut is made. This process may be repeated three more times. This multiple cutting technique typically produces a sample of 100-200 mg or more in healthy subjects and can be done immediately before, during, and after a bout of exercise or other intervention. Following post-biopsy dressing of the incision site, subjects typically resume their activities of daily living right away and can fully participate in vigorous physical activity within 48-72 hr. Subjects should avoid heavy resistance exercise for 48 hr to reduce the risk of herniation of the muscle through the incision in the fascia.     

Proteomics in Drosophila melanogaster.

To be able to understand cellular mechanisms, we require fully integrated data sets combining information about gene expression, protein expression, post-translational modification states, sub-cellular location and complex formation. Proteomics is a very powerful technique that can be applied to interrogate changes at the protein level. Studying this effectively requires specialised facilities within research institutes. Here, we describe the setting up and operation of such a facility, providing a resource for the Arabidopsis and Drosophila research communities.     

蛋白质组学中的分离检测技术

10多年来,随着基因组学研究取得的巨大成就,蛋白质组学的研究也得到了突飞猛进的发展,并产生了许多先进的分离检测技术,包括与电泳相关的和非电泳的技术。本就蛋白质组学中的分离检测技术,如双向电泳、差异凝胶电泳、毛细管电泳、液相色谱质谱联用、蛋白质芯片等作一综述。     

A Procedure for Purification of the Ryanodine Receptor from Skeletal Muscle

In this paper, we describe a simple and reproducible method for purifying large quantities of ryanodine receptor from skeletal muscle membranes. The procedure involves the use of ion exchange chromatography and sucrose gradient centrifugation to purify the protein which has been identified as the calcium release protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Imagawa, T., Smith, J., Coronado, R. and Campbell, K. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262:16,636–16,643). Addition of micromolar quantities of unlabeled ryanodine prior to solubilization and throughout the isolation procedure appears to stabilize the tetrameric structure of the ryanodine receptor. The purified receptor, consisting predominantly of a 400K polypeptide on SDS-PAGE, binds [³H]ryanodine with a binding affinity similar to that in membranes. Overall recovery of ryanodine binding activity was 21% of the initial activity with a 30-fold purification of the receptor.     

骨骼肌中肌浆网/内质网钙ATP酶的功能及其作用机制

骨骼肌是机体生命活动和能量代谢的重要场所,其代谢紊乱会诱发一系列肌肉疾病。Ca²⁺作为肌肉收缩过程的重要调节器,在骨骼肌的功能行使中发挥重要作用。骨骼肌细胞中Ca²⁺浓度主要受肌浆网/内质网钙ATP酶(sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ATPase, SERCA)的调节。SERCA利用ATP水解产生的能量介导胞质Ca²⁺进入肌浆网内腔,维持胞质Ca²⁺平衡。SERCA功能的失调会引发一系列骨骼肌疾病,而SERCA活性受部分肌浆网蛋白质的调控,跨膜蛋白质PLN、SLN、MRLN、DWORF和sAnk1以及胞质蛋白质THADA和SAR,其通过磷酸化,进而调控SERCA的功能。本文对骨骼肌中SERCA的功能、调控SERCA的相关功能蛋白质的结构及其作用机制进行了总结,以期为骨骼肌相关疾病的治疗提供最新的思路和方法。     

Laser-inflicted Injury of Zebrafish Embryonic Skeletal Muscle

Various experimental approaches have been used in mouse to induce muscle injury with the aim to study muscle regeneration, including myotoxin injections (bupivacaine, cardiotoxin or notexin), muscle transplantations (denervation-devascularization induced regeneration), intensive exercise, but also murine muscular dystrophy models such as the mdx mouse (for a review of these approaches see ¹). In zebrafish, genetic approaches include mutants that exhibit muscular dystrophy phenotypes (such as runzel² or sapje³) and antisense oligonucleotide morpholinos that block the expression of dystrophy-associated genes⁴. Besides, chemical approaches are also possible, e.g. with Galanthamine, a chemical compound inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, thereby resulting in hypercontraction, which eventually leads to muscular dystrophy⁵. However, genetic and pharmacological approaches generally affect all muscles within an individual, whereas the extent of physically inflicted injuries are more easily controlled spatially and temporally¹. Localized physical injury allows the assessment of contralateral muscle as an internal control. Indeed, we recently used laser-mediated cell ablation to study skeletal muscle regeneration in the zebrafish embryo⁶, while another group recently reported the use of a two-photon laser (822 nm) to damage very locally the plasma membrane of individual embryonic zebrafish muscle cells⁷.Here, we report a method for using the micropoint laser (Andor Technology) for skeletal muscle cell injury in the zebrafish embryo. The micropoint laser is a high energy laser which is suitable for targeted cell ablation at a wavelength of 435 nm. The laser is connected to a microscope (in our setup, an optical microscope from Zeiss) in such a way that the microscope can be used at the same time for focusing the laser light onto the sample and for visualizing the effects of the wounding (brightfield or fluorescence). The parameters for controlling laser pulses include wavelength, intensity, and number of pulses.Due to its transparency and external embryonic development, the zebrafish embryo is highly amenable for both laser-induced injury and for studying the subsequent recovery. Between 1 and 2 days post-fertilization, somitic skeletal muscle cells progressively undergo maturation from anterior to posterior due to the progression of somitogenesis from the trunk to the tail^{8, 9}. At these stages, embryos spontaneously twitch and initiate swimming. The zebrafish has recently been recognized as an important vertebrate model organism for the study of tissue regeneration, as many types of tissues (cardiac, neuronal, vascular etc.) can be regenerated after injury in the adult zebrafish^{10, 11}.     

从骨骼肌可塑性透视运动适应的细胞机制

作为一种高度可塑的组织,骨骼肌能应对运动刺激产生适应性变化,且适量的运动对预防心血管疾病、糖尿病和癌症有一定的干预作用。然而在运动生理学界,有关哪种运动方式对健康促进更有效的争辩由来已久,且其内在机制不完全明确。在本文中,笔者将比较不同类型运动介导运动适应的信号通路,并大胆推测其根本异同点,在丰富运动适应理论构架的同时对民众提出相关指导性意见。     

Proteome profile of functional mitochondria from human skeletal muscle using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS

Mitochondria can be isolated from skeletal muscle in a manner that preserves tightly coupled bioenergetic function in vitro. The purpose of this study was to characterize the composition of such preparations using a proteomics approach. Mitochondria isolated from human vastus lateralis biopsies were functional as evidenced by their response to carbohydrate and fat-derived fuels. Using one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, 823 unique proteins were detected, and 487 of these were assigned to the mitochondrion, including the newly characterized SIRT5, MitoNEET and RDH13. Proteins detected included 9 of the 13 mitochondrial DNA-encoded proteins and 86 of 104 electron transport chain (ETC) and ETC-related proteins. In addition, 59 of 78 proteins of the 55S mitoribosome, several TIM and TOM proteins and cell death proteins were present. This study presents an efficient method for future qualitative assessments of proteins from functional isolated mitochondria from small samples of healthy and diseased skeletal muscle.     

Tibial Nerve Transection - A Standardized Model for Denervation-induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Mice

The tibial nerve transection model is a well-tolerated, validated, and reproducible model of denervation-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in rodents. Although originally developed and used extensively in the rat due to its larger size, the tibial nerve in mice is big enough that it can be easily manipulated with either crush or transection, leaving the peroneal and sural nerve branches of the sciatic nerve intact and thereby preserving their target muscles. Thus, this model offers the advantages of inducing less morbidity and impediment of ambulation than the sciatic nerve transection model and also allows investigators to study the physiologic, cellular and molecular biologic mechanisms regulating the process of muscle atrophy in genetically engineered mice. The tibial nerve supplies the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles, so its transection permits the study of denervated skeletal muscle composed of fast twitch type II fibers and/or slow twitch type I fibers. Here we demonstrate the tibial nerve transection model in the C57Black6 mouse. We assess the atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle, as a representative muscle, at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-denervation by measuring muscle weights and fiber type specific cross-sectional area on paraffin-embedded histologic sections immunostained for fast twitch myosin.     

后基因组时代的植物蛋白质组学

蛋白质组学是后基因组时代功能基因组学研究的新兴学科和热点领域.简要介绍了蛋白质组学产生的科学背景、研究内容和研究方法.重点综述了植物个体水平、组织、器官和亚细胞水平蛋白组研究,植物蛋白质组学在植物遗传多样性、遗传突变体、植物的逆境生理等方面的研究进展.最后展望了今后的发展前景.