C3KO mouse expression analysis: downregulation of the muscular dystrophy Ky protein and alterations in muscle aging

Neurogenetics. 2012 Nov;13(4):347-57. doi: 10.1007/s10048-012-0336-7. Epub 2012 Jul 22.

Abstract

Mutations in CAPN3 gene cause limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A) characterized by muscle wasting and progressive degeneration of scapular and pelvic musculature. Since CAPN3 knockout mice (C3KO) display features of muscle pathology similar to those features observed in the earliest-stage or preclinical LGMD2A patients, gene expression profiling analysis in C3KO mice was performed to gain insight into mechanisms of disease. Two different comparisons were carried out in order to determine, first, the differential gene expression between wild-type (WT) and C3KO soleus and, second, to identify the transcripts differentially expressed in aging muscles of WT and C3KO mice. The up/downregulation of two genes, important for normal muscle function, was identified in C3KO mice: the Ky gene, encoding a protease implicated in muscle development, and Park2 gene encoding an E3 ubiquitin ligase (parkin). The Ky gene was downregulated in C3KO muscles suggesting that Ky protease may play a complementary role in regulating muscle cytoskeleton homeostasis in response to changes in muscle activity. Park2 was upregulated in the aged WT muscles but not in C3KO muscles. Taking into account the known functions of parkin E3 ligase, it is possible that it plays a role in ubiquitination and degradation of atrophy-specific and damaged proteins that are necessary to avoid cellular toxicity and a cellular stress response in aging muscles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Calpain / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / enzymology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / growth & development*
  • Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics

Substances

  • Muscle Proteins
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • parkin protein
  • KY protein, mouse
  • Peptide Hydrolases
  • Calpain
  • Capn3 protein, mouse

Supplementary concepts

  • Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A