Muscle type-specific myosin isoforms in crustacean muscles

William A. LaFramboise, Bruce Griffis, Philip Bonner, Wendy Warren, Deborah Scalise, Robert D. Guthrie, Robin L. Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Differential expression of multiple myosin heavy chain (MyHC) genes largely determines the diversity of critical physiological, histochemical, and enzymatic properties characteristic of skeletal muscle. Hypotheses to explain myofiber diversity range from intrinsic control of expression based on myoblast lineage to extrinsic control by innervation, hormones, and usage. The unique innervation and specialized function of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) appendicular and abdominal musculature provide a model to test these hypotheses. The leg opener and superficial abdominal extensor muscles are innervated by tonic excitatory motoneurons. High resolution SDS-PAGE revealed that these two muscles express the same MyHC profile. In contrast, the deep abdominal extensor muscles, innervated by phasic motoneurons, express MyHC profiles different from the tonic profiles. The claw closer muscles are dually innervated by tonic and phasic motoneurons and a mixed phenotype was observed, albeit biased toward the phasic profile seen in the closer muscle. These results indicate that multiple MyHC isoforms are present in the crayfish and that differential expression is associated with diversity of muscle type and function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)36-48
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology
Volume286
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology

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