Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Baraldo, Leonardo Nogara, Georgia Ana Dumitras, Achille Homere Tchampda Dondjang, Alessia Geremia, Marco Scalabrin, Clara Turk, Frederik Telkamp, Lorena Zentilin, Mauro Giacca, Marcus Kruger, Bert Blaauw
Summary: Loss of Raptor diminishes muscle hypertrophy and force increase after Akt activation, indicating mTORC1 as the key mediator of Akt-dependent muscle growth regulating the mitochondrial proteome critical for enhancing muscle force.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Alessia Geremia, Roberta Sartori, Martina Baraldo, Leonardo Nogara, Valeria Balmaceda, Georgia Ana Dumitras, Stefano Ciciliot, Marco Scalabrin, Hendrik Nolte, Bert Blaauw
Summary: During cancer cachexia, impaired mTORC1 signaling leads to reduced protein synthesis rates in skeletal muscle. Conversely, activation of Akt-mTORC1 signaling can completely reverse muscle loss and force reduction, and prevent the increase in protein degradation observed in muscles from tumor-bearing animals. These findings suggest that skeletal muscle maintains its anabolic capacities during cancer cachexia, potentially explaining the beneficial effects of exercise in cancer patients.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aowen Zhuang, Christine Yang, Yingying Liu, Yanie Tan, Simon T. Bond, Shannen Walker, Tim Sikora, Adrienne Laskowski, Arpeeta Sharma, Judy B. de Haan, Peter J. Meikle, Takahiko Shimizu, Melinda T. Coughlan, Anna C. Calkin, Brian G. Drew
Summary: Metabolic conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance are often associated with impairments in skeletal muscle function and metabolism, particularly due to oxidative stress. Post-developmental deletion of SOD2 in skeletal muscle showed specific impacts on muscle lipid metabolism, but did not result in major impairment in overall metabolism.
Article
Sport Sciences
M. O. S. T. A. F. A. M. ALI, R. Y. A. N. P. MCMILLAN, D. A. N. E. W. FAUSNACHT, J. O. H. N. W. KAVANAUGH, M. O. R. D. E. C. A. I. M. HARVEY, J. O. S. E. P. H. R. STEVENS, Y. A. R. U. WU, R. A. N. D. A. L. L. L. MYNATT, M. A. T. T. H. E. W. W. HULVER
Summary: This study established a novel muscle-specific TLR4 knockout mouse model and identified mTLR4 as an immunomodulatory effector of exercise-induced metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle.
MEDICINE & SCIENCE IN SPORTS & EXERCISE
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Fatima Daoud, Johan Holmberg, Azra Alajbegovic, Mario Grossi, Catarina Rippe, Karl Sward, Sebastian Albinsson
Summary: YAP and TAZ in smooth muscle cells play crucial roles in maintaining colonic contractility and controlling the expression of contractile proteins and muscarinic receptors. The knockout model exhibits features of human chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and may serve as a valuable tool for studying this disease.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Lisa Gambarotto, Samuele Metti, Martina Chrisam, Cristina Cerqua, Patrizia Sabatelli, Andrea Armani, Carlo Zanon, Marianna Spizzotin, Silvia Castagnaro, Flavie Strappazzon, Paolo Grumati, Matilde Cescon, Paola Braghetta, Eva Trevisson, Francesco Cecconi, Paolo Bonaldo
Summary: The study reveals that Ambra1 plays a critical role in the mitophagic flux of adult murine skeletal muscle and its deficiency leads to abnormal mitochondria and myofiber remodeling.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Joanna Sophia J. Vinke, Alan R. Gorter, Michele F. Eisenga, Wendy A. Dam, Peter van der Meer, Jacob van den Born, Stephan J. L. Bakker, Martijn F. Hoes, Martin H. de Borst
Summary: Loss of muscle mass is associated with impaired quality of life and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Iron deficiency has been found to affect muscle mass and function. Studies on a large population-based cohort and cultured skeletal myoblasts and myocytes have shown that iron deficiency contributes to loss of muscle mass and impaired cellular function.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martijn van de Locht, Tamara C. Borsboom, Josine M. Winter, Coen A. C. Ottenheijm
Summary: Variants in skeletal troponin encoding genes can compromise sarcomere function, with potential therapeutic strategies including troponin activators and gene therapy. The pathophysiological effects of these variants are not fully understood, emphasizing the need for further research into treatment strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Dongwook Kim, Hyeji Jung, Yoshinori Shirai, Hyeonho Kim, Jinhu Kim, Dongseok Lim, Takuma Mori, Hyojeong Lee, Dongseok Park, Hee Young Kim, Qi Guo, Bo Pang, Wen Qiu, Xueshan Cao, Emi Kouyama-Suzuki, Takeshi Uemura, Enas Kasem, Yu Fu, Seungjoon Kim, Akinori Tokunaga, Takahiro Yoshizawa, Tatsuo Suzuki, Hiroyuki Sakagami, Kea Joo Lee, Jaewon Ko, Katsuhiko Tabuchi, Ji Won Um
Summary: The study reveals the critical role of IQSEC3 in regulating synaptic inhibition in the hippocampal CA1 region for the formation of hippocampus-dependent fear memory. It mediates GABAergic synapse density and transmission and affects the maintenance of long-term potentiation. Additionally, abnormal activation of the S6K1 signaling pathway associated with IQSEC3 loss was also identified.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Madison L. Doolittle, Dominik Saul, Japneet Kaur, Jennifer L. Rowsey, Brittany Eckhardt, Stephanie Vos, Sarah Grain, Kveta Kroupova, Ming Ruan, Megan Weivoda, Merry Jo Oursler, Joshua N. Farr, David G. Monroe, Sundeep Khosla
Summary: This study found that osteocytic ER alpha is critical for estrogen action in female adult bone metabolism, but not in males. The reduction in bone formation, increased Sost expression, decreased osteoblast activity, and downregulation of Wnt target genes in ER alpha Delta Ocy mice provide a direct link between ER alpha and Wnt signaling.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Patricia Sosa, Elena Alcalde-Estevez, Ana Asenjo-Bueno, Patricia Plaza, Natalia Carrillo-Lopez, Gemma Olmos, Susana Lopez-Ongil, Maria Piedad Ruiz-Torres
Summary: Hyperphosphatemia impairs myogenic differentiation and leads to muscle fibrosis, with studies in older mice demonstrating a close relationship between age-related hyperphosphatemia and the decrease in myogenic factors and increase in fibrotic factors.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
David R. A. Reyes, Angelica M. P. Barbosa, Floriano F. Juliana, Quiroz B. C. Sofia, Sarah M. B. Costa, Raghavendra L. S. Hallur, Eusebio M. A. Enriquez, Rafael G. Oliveira, Patricia de Souza Rossignolli, Cristiane Rodrigues Pedroni, Fernanda C. B. Alves, Gabriela A. Garcia, Joelcio F. Abbade, Carolina N. F. Carvalho, Luis Sobrevia, Marilza V. C. Rudge, Iracema I. M. P. Calderon
Summary: This study explored the viability of determining the physiological responses in muscles without tendon, such as rectus abdominis muscle, through ex-vivo myography and demonstrated its potential as a diagnostic tool for rectus abdominis muscle electrical activity.
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING ONLINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haotian He, Xiqin Lin, Tong Tong, Yudong Xu, Huihui Hong, Jingjing Zhang, Yongjin Xu, Cong Huang, Zhou Zhou
Summary: Cadmium exposure has been shown to impair skeletal muscle function, but exercise can effectively counteract this toxicity by inhibiting lipid metabolism disturbance, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and preserving skeletal muscle function. This study provides novel evidence for understanding the toxic effects of cadmium on skeletal muscle and highlights the potential of exercise as a countermeasure for cadmium-induced skeletal muscle impairment at the population level.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Alec S. T. Smith, Shawn M. Luttrell, Jean-Baptiste Dupont, Kevin Gray, Daniel Lih, Jacob W. Fleming, Nathan J. Cunningham, Sofia Jepson, Jennifer Hesson, Julie Mathieu, Lisa Maves, Bonnie J. Berry, Elliot C. Fisher, Nathan J. Sniadecki, Nicholas A. Geisse, David L. Mack
Summary: Engineered muscle tissues combined with a magnetic sensing system allow non-invasive longitudinal analysis of developing contraction kinetics, improving research efficiency and drug screening capabilities. The platform enables identification and classification of healthy and diseased muscle cells, and has significant implications for the translation of novel therapies.
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jiaqi Cui, Lin Song, Rui Wang, Shuyuan Hu, Zhao Yang, Zengtie Zhang, Bo Sun, Wei Cui
Summary: This study suggests that maternal metformin during gestation and lactation has the potential to overcome the negative effects of perinatal exposure to a high-fat diet in offspring. This is achieved by altering myogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and dynamics through the AMPK/mTOR pathways in skeletal muscle.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Scano, Alberto Benetollo, Leonardo Nogara, Michela Bondi, Francesco Dalla Barba, Michela Soardi, Sandra Furlan, Eylem Emek Akyurek, Paola Caccin, Marcello Carotti, Roberta Sacchetto, Bert Blaauw, Dorianna Sandona
Summary: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R3 (LGMDR3) is caused by mutations in the SGCA gene, resulting in defective α-sarcoglycan (SG) and muscle weakness. The use of small molecules, such as CFTR correctors, has shown promise in recovering mutated α-SG and restoring muscle function in a novel LGMDR3 murine model, potentially offering a new paradigm for treatment.
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Alessia Geremia, Roberta Sartori, Martina Baraldo, Leonardo Nogara, Valeria Balmaceda, Georgia Ana Dumitras, Stefano Ciciliot, Marco Scalabrin, Hendrik Nolte, Bert Blaauw
Summary: During cancer cachexia, impaired mTORC1 signaling leads to reduced protein synthesis rates in skeletal muscle. Conversely, activation of Akt-mTORC1 signaling can completely reverse muscle loss and force reduction, and prevent the increase in protein degradation observed in muscles from tumor-bearing animals. These findings suggest that skeletal muscle maintains its anabolic capacities during cancer cachexia, potentially explaining the beneficial effects of exercise in cancer patients.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Anna Sophia Jauch, Sebastian A. Wohlfeil, Celine Weller, Bianca Dietsch, Verena Haefele, Ana Stojanovic, Maximilian Kittel, Hendrik Nolte, Adelheid Cerwenka, Michael Neumaier, Kai Schledzewski, Carsten Sticht, Philipp-Sebastian Reiners-Koch, Sergij Goerdt, Cyrill Geraud
Summary: This study found that deficiency of the hyaluronan receptor LYVE-1 led to reduced liver metastasis, particularly in melanoma cells. This anti-tumor effect is likely due to enhanced immune microenvironment and suppression of early liver metastasis formation.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Soni Deshwal, Mashun Onishi, Takashi Tatsuta, Tim Bartsch, Eileen Cors, Katharina Ried, Kathrin Lemke, Hendrik Nolte, Patrick Giavalisco, Thomas Langer
Summary: The cytosolic lipid transfer protein STARD7 is identified as a critical factor for intracellular coenzyme Q transport and suppresses ferroptosis. Dual localization of STARD7 to mitochondria and cytosol ensures the synthesis of coenzyme Q and its transport to the plasma membrane. PARL-mediated STARD7 processing is necessary for coordinating coenzyme Q synthesis and cellular distribution and could be targeted to interfere with ferroptosis.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caterina Marchioretti, Giulia Zanetti, Marco Pirazzini, Gaia Gherardi, Leonardo Nogara, Roberta Andreotti, Paolo Martini, Lorenzo Marcucci, Marta Canato, Samir R. Nath, Emanuela Zuccaro, Mathilde Chivet, Cristina Mammucari, Marco Pacifici, Anna Raffaello, Rosario Rizzuto, Andrea Mattarei, Maria A. Desbats, Leonardo Salviati, Aram Megighian, Gianni Soraru, Elena Pegoraro, Elisa Belluzzi, Assunta Pozzuoli, Carlo Biz, Pietro Ruggieri, Chiara Romualdi, Andrew P. Lieberman, Gopal J. Babu, Marco Sandri, Bert Blaauw, Manuela Basso, Maria Pennuto
Summary: Marchioretti and colleagues demonstrate that there are reversible alterations in gene expression related to muscle contraction and mitochondrial respiration in the skeletal muscle of SBMA mice and patients. These alterations are accompanied by calcium accumulation inside the mitochondria, motor dysfunction, and late changes in muscle structure. The deregulation of expression of genes involved in excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) occurs with sexual maturity and androgen increase in the serum. Surgical castration and AR silencing alleviate the early and late pathological processes, indicating an androgen-dependent nature of these alterations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Anna Juliane Vesting, Alexander Jais, Paul Klemm, Lukas Steuernagel, Peter Wienand, Morten Fog-Tonnesen, Henning Hvid, Anna-Lena Schumacher, Christian Kukat, Hendrik Nolte, Theodoros Georgomanolis, Janine Altmueller, Manolis Pasparakis', Andreas Schmidt', Marcus Krueger', Marc Schmidt Supprian, Ari Waisman, Beate Katharina Straub, Nathanael Raschzok, Michel Bernier, Andreas L. Birkenfeld, Nadine Hoevelmeyer, Jens C. Bruening, F. Thomas Wunderlich
Summary: The non-canonical NFKB-inducing kinase (NIK/MAP3K14) plays a crucial role in metabolic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the progression from NAFLD to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by modulating JAK2/STAT5 signaling.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Carolina Montoro-Gamez, Hendrik Nolte, Thibaut Molinie, Giovanna Evangelista, Simon E. Troeder, Esther Barth, Milica Popovic, Aleksandra Trifunovic, Branko Zevnik, Thomas Langer, Elena Rugarli
Summary: Montoro-Gamez et al. have developed a new mouse model for hereditary spastic paraplegia caused by mutations in the SPG7 gene. The model reproduces the phenotypic features of the disease and demonstrates a cerebellar-specific role for SARM1 in triggering axonal degeneration and neuroinflammation. The study reveals that the lack of SPG7 rewires the mitochondrial proteome, leading to decreased mito-ribosomal subunits and remodelling of mitochondrial solute carriers and transporters. Deletion of SARM1 delays the onset of symptoms, rescues mitochondrial swelling and axonal degeneration, and dampens neuroinflammation in a neuron-specific manner.
Article
Cell Biology
Weiyi Chen, Oliver Mehlkop, Alexandra Scharn, Hendrik Nolte, Paul Klemm, Sinika Henschke, Lukas Steuernagel, Tamara Sotelo-Hitschfeld, Ecem Kaya, Claudia Maria Wunderlich, Thomas Langer, Natalia L. Kononenko, Patrick Giavalisco, Jens Claus Bruening
Summary: This study found that fasting activates autophagy in the liver and AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus of mice. Activation of AgRP neurons induce autophagy, alter phosphorylation of autophagy regulators, and promote ketogenesis. The induction of liver autophagy by AgRP neurons relies on NPY release in the PVH via inhibition of NPY1R-expressing neurons to activate PVHCRH neurons. This study reveals a fundamental regulatory principle of liver autophagy in controlling metabolic adaptation during nutrient deprivation.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alessandro Cannavo, Seungho Jun, Giuseppe Rengo, Federica Marzano, Jacopo Agrimi, Daniela Liccardo, Andrea Elia, Gizem Keceli, Giovanna G. Altobelli, Lorenzo Marcucci, Aram Megighian, Erhe Gao, Ning Feng, Kai Kammers, Nicola Ferrara, Livio Finos, Walter J. Koch, Nazareno Paolocci
Summary: This study found that loss of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) contributes to chronic postischemic heart failure. Activation of the TrkB receptor can restore myocardial BDNF content and improve ischemic myocardial function. Additionally, direct stimulation of the β3 adrenergic receptor or the use of β-blockers (via upregulation of β3 receptors) can prevent chronic postischemic heart failure.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lorenzo Marcucci
Summary: Contraction in striated muscle is traditionally regulated by calcium-mediated structural changes in the thin filaments, but a new paradigm suggests that both the thin and thick filaments must be activated to generate force. There is growing evidence that thick filament activation plays a role in fine regulation of muscle and its impairment is associated with severe pathologies. This review focuses on the mechanosensing mechanism that activates inactive motors based on tension generated by active motors, highlighting the bi-directional feedback on muscle mechanics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisabetta Brunello, Lorenzo Marcucci, Malcolm Irving, Luca Fusi
Summary: The contraction of skeletal muscle is initiated by an increase in intracellular calcium concentration, causing a change in the structure of actin-containing thin filaments that allows binding of myosin motors from the thick filaments. The release of folded motors is triggered by thick filament stress, suggesting a positive feedback loop. This study reveals the coordination of thin and thick filament activation mechanisms and the coupling of these mechanisms through positive feedback loops, achieving rapid cooperative activation of skeletal muscle.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Pablo Rivera-Mejias, Alvaro Jesus Narbona-Perez, Lidwina Hasberg, Lara Kroczek, Amir Bahat, Steffen Lawo, Kat Folz-Donahue, Anna-Lena Schumacher, Sofia Ahola, Fiona Carola Mayer, Patrick Giavalisco, Hendrik Nolte, Sergio Lavandero, Thomas Langer
Summary: The flexibility of mitochondria metabolism is crucial for cell development, differentiation, and survival. The enzyme OMA1 is involved in regulating mitochondrial morphology and stress signaling, impacting tumorigenesis and cell survival in a cell- and tissue-specific manner. This study reveals that OMA1-dependent cell survival relies on metabolic cues. By conducting a metabolism-focused CRISPR screen and analyzing human gene expression data, it was found that OMA1 protects against DNA damage. The deficiency of nucleotides induced by chemotherapeutic agents leads to p53-dependent apoptosis in cells lacking OMA1. The protective effect of OMA1 is not dependent on its activation or its role in the processing of OPA1 and DELE1. OMA1-deficient cells exhibit reduced glycolysis and accumulate oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins following DNA damage. Inhibition of OXPHOS restores glycolysis and provides resistance against DNA damage. Thus, OMA1 plays a role in balancing cell death and survival through the control of glucose metabolism, shedding light on its involvement in cancerogenesis.
Article
Biophysics
Lorenzo Marcucci, Antonio Michelucci, Carlo Reggiani
Summary: Calcium ions enter mitochondria through the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter in a concentration and electrical gradient-dependent manner. In this study, the role of local Ca2+ concentrations in regulating mitochondrial Ca2+ in resting cells was investigated using a diffusional Ca2+ model. The model predicted the existence of Ca2+ concentration microdomains even at rest, which could contribute to the uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria and raise mitochondrial Ca2+ concentrations.
BIOPHYSICAL REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Murgia, Stefano Ciciliot, Nagarjuna Nagaraj, Carlo Reggiani, Stefano Schiaffino, Martino V. Franchi, Rado Pisot, Bostjan Simunic, Luana Toniolo, Bert Blaauw, Marco Sandri, Gianni Biolo, Martin Flueck, Marco V. Narici, Matthias Mann
Summary: Astronauts experience muscle loss, decreased strength, and insulin resistance in space, as well as during prolonged bed rest. By using proteomics, the study reveals molecular remodeling and changes in muscle proteins during bed rest and spaceflight, shedding light on the effects of microgravity and inactivity. Muscle focal adhesions and antioxidant response pathways are downregulated during unloading and restored upon reloading. Additionally, markers of neuromuscular damage are upregulated during unloading.