Maintenance of muscle mass, fiber size, and contractile function in mice lacking the Z-disc protein myotilin

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Background. Myofibrillar myopathies constitute a rare group of congenital neuromuscular disorders, frequently associated with mutations in Z-disc proteins such as myotilin. Myotilin location and interactions with other Z-disc proteins are clearly defined, but its role in the regulation of muscle structure and function remains unknown. The present study aims at investigating this specific role of myotilin. Methods. Skeletal and cardiac muscles were collected from adult mice with a targeted deletion of myotilin (myo-/-) and wild-type animals (myo/). Results and conclusion. Similar skeletal and cardiac muscle weights were observed in myo-/- and myo / mice. At the muscle cell level, the size and force production of single membrane permeabilized fibers were identical between myo-/- and myo/ rodents. Thus, myotilin does not have a significant influence on muscle mass, muscle fiber size, or regulation of muscle contraction. Alternatively, compensatory over-expressions of other elements including proteins from the same subfamily, or Z-disc proteins such as telethonin, or intermediate filaments may compensate for the lack of myotilin.

Original languageEnglish
Book seriesUpsala Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume114
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)235-241
Number of pages7
ISSN0300-9734
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Research areas

  • Muscle, Myotilin, Single membrane permeabilized muscle fiber, Telethonin

ID: 245665197