Increased expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in stimulated muscle

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003 Jan 10;300(2):585-91. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(02)02898-x.

Abstract

Chronic low-frequency stimulation has been used as a model for investigating responses of skeletal muscle fibres to enhanced neuromuscular activity under conditions of maximum activation. Fast-to-slow isoform shifting of markers of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the contractile apparatus demonstrated successful fibre transitions prior to studying the effect of chronic electro-stimulation on the expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Comparative immunoblotting revealed that the alpha- and delta-subunits of the receptor were increased in 10-78 day stimulated specimens, while an associated component of the surface utrophin-glycoprotein complex, beta-dystroglycan, was not drastically changed in stimulated fast skeletal muscle. Previous studies have shown that electro-stimulation induces degeneration of fast glycolytic fibres, trans-differentiation leading to fast-to-slow fibre transitions and activation of muscle precursor cells. In analogy, our results indicate a molecular modification of the central functional unit of the post-synaptic muscle surface within existing neuromuscular junctions and/or during remodelling of nerve-muscle contacts.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / analysis
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / analysis
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Immunoblotting
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle Proteins / analysis
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Neuromuscular Junction / chemistry
  • Neuromuscular Junction / metabolism*
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Isoforms / analysis
  • Protein Subunits
  • Rabbits
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, Nicotinic / immunology
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Utrophin

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Subunits
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Utrophin
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases