TY - CONF

T1 - Mechanical stimuli activation of calpain is required for myoblast differentiation and occurs via an ERK/MAP kinase signaling pathway.

AU - Grossi, Alberto

AU - Karlsson, Anders H

AU - Lawson, Moira Ann

PY - 2006

Y1 - 2006

N2 - Abstract Myogenesis is a complex sequence of events, including the irreversible transition from the proliferation-competent myoblast stage into fused, multinucleated myotubes. During embryonic development, myogenic differentiation is regulated by positive and negative signals from surrounding tissues. Stimulation due to stretch- or load-induced signaling is now beginning to be understood as a factor which affects various signal transduction pathways, gene sequences and protein synthesis. Evidence of the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade activation in myoblast fusion, cell membrane and cytoskeleton component reorganization due to the activity of ubiquitous proteolytic enzymes known as calpains has been reported. Whether there is a link between stretch- or load induced signals, the MAPK pathway and calpain expression and activation is not known. Using a magnetic bead stimulation assay and C2C12 mouse myoblasts cell population, we have shown that mechanical signals transmitted through the C2C12 cells interaction with laminin cause an increase in cellular differentiation. This signaling results in an increase in the number of myotubes formed in the cultures, with each individual myotube containing fewer nuclei. Mechanical stimulation increases not only the expression of m-calpain but also the overall activity of calpain in the cells through the MAPK signaling cascade. Our findings underline that the mechanical modulation of MAPK signaling cascade enhances the expression and activity of m-calpain, which play a pivotal role during myoblast fusion, strengthening the idea of its implication during the initial events of muscle development.

AB - Abstract Myogenesis is a complex sequence of events, including the irreversible transition from the proliferation-competent myoblast stage into fused, multinucleated myotubes. During embryonic development, myogenic differentiation is regulated by positive and negative signals from surrounding tissues. Stimulation due to stretch- or load-induced signaling is now beginning to be understood as a factor which affects various signal transduction pathways, gene sequences and protein synthesis. Evidence of the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade activation in myoblast fusion, cell membrane and cytoskeleton component reorganization due to the activity of ubiquitous proteolytic enzymes known as calpains has been reported. Whether there is a link between stretch- or load induced signals, the MAPK pathway and calpain expression and activation is not known. Using a magnetic bead stimulation assay and C2C12 mouse myoblasts cell population, we have shown that mechanical signals transmitted through the C2C12 cells interaction with laminin cause an increase in cellular differentiation. This signaling results in an increase in the number of myotubes formed in the cultures, with each individual myotube containing fewer nuclei. Mechanical stimulation increases not only the expression of m-calpain but also the overall activity of calpain in the cells through the MAPK signaling cascade. Our findings underline that the mechanical modulation of MAPK signaling cascade enhances the expression and activity of m-calpain, which play a pivotal role during myoblast fusion, strengthening the idea of its implication during the initial events of muscle development.

M3 - Poster

T2 - ASCB meeting

Y2 - 20 June 2010

ER -