Type I muscle atrophy caused by microgravity-induced decrease of myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) protein expression.

Abstract

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy under microgravity, the paraspinal muscles of rats after 14 days spaceflight and those of ground-based controls were examined. In the microgravitational environment, expressions of 42 genes changed, and the expressions of heat shock protein 70 and t complex polypeptide 1 increased. In Northern blotting, myocyte-specific enhancer binding factor 2C (MEF2C) and MEF2C-related genes including aldolase A and muscle ankyrin decreased. After 9 days ground recovery, expression of MEF2C increased and it was located mainly on the satellite cells in the muscle regeneration state. MEF2C could be a key transcriptional factor for skeletal muscle atrophy and regeneration under microgravity.

• Authors: M Yamakuchi, I Higuchi, S Masuda, Y Ohira, T Kubo, Y Kato, I Maruyama, I Kitajima
• Journal: FEBS letters (FEBS Lett) Vol. 477 Issue 1-2 Pg. 135-40 (Jul 14 2000) ISSN: 0014-5793 [Print] England
• PMID: 10899324 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• MEF2 Transcription Factors
• Myogenic Regulatory Factors
• RNA, Messenger
• DNA
• Myosin Heavy Chains

Topics

• Animals
• DNA (genetics, metabolism)
• Down-Regulation
• Gene Expression Profiling
• MEF2 Transcription Factors
• Male
• Microscopy, Fluorescence
• Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch (metabolism, pathology)
• Muscle, Skeletal (metabolism, pathology, physiology)
• Muscular Atrophy (genetics, metabolism)
• Myogenic Regulatory Factors (genetics, metabolism)
• Myosin Heavy Chains (genetics, metabolism)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics, metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Regeneration
• Space Flight
• Time Factors
• Weightlessness (adverse effects)