Expression of actin mRNAs in denervated chicken skeletal muscle

The expression of actin genes in chicken pectoralis muscle denervated 1 week after hatching was examined 1-8 weeks after the operation by RNA blot hybridization using a generic actin cDNA probe and DNA probes specific for alpha-skeletal and alpha-cardiac actin genes. Total and alpha-skeletal actin mRNAs/microgram total RNA decreased to about half of the levels found in contralateral control muscle, while the expression of alpha-cardiac actin mRNA was up-regulated. Consequently, alpha-cardiac actin mRNA formed about 15% of the total actin mRNA as compared to less than 1% found in control muscle. The expression of actin genes in the denervated muscle was similar to that in the late embryonic muscle. These results suggest that innervation is required to show the expression pattern of striated muscle actin genes found in mature muscle.