Inhibition of mTORC1 differentially affects ribosome biogenesis in rat soleus muscle at the early and later stages of hindlimb unloading

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Prolonged inactivity of skeletal muscles due to limb immobilization, bedrest, and exposure to microgravity results in a significant muscle atrophy. Inactivity-induced muscle atrophy is caused by a downregulation of protein synthesis (PS) and increased proteolysis. Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is considered to be one of the main regulators of translational capacity (quantity of ribosomes), a key determinant of PS. Using a specific mTORC1 inhibitor (rapamycin) we aimed to determine if mTORC1 activity would influence ribosome biogenesis in rat soleus muscle at both early and later stages of mechanical unloading. Wistar rats were subjected to 1- and 7-day hindlimb suspension (HS) with and without rapamycin injections (1.5 mg/kg) and compared to weight-bearing control animals. The key markers of ribosome biogenesis were assessed by RT-PCR or agarose gel electrophoresis. The rate of PS was measured by SUnSET method. Both 1-day and 7-day HS resulted in a significant downregulation of ribosome biogenesis markers (c-Myc, 47S pre-rRNA, 18S + 28S rRNAs) and the rate of PS. Rapamycin administration during 1-day HS fully prevented a decrease in 47S pre-rRNA expression and amount of 18S + 28S rRNAs (without affecting c-Myc mRNA expression) and partially attenuated a decline in PS. Rapamycin treatment during 7-day HS significantly decreased p70S6K phosphorylation but failed to rescue a reduction in both the markers of ribosome biogenesis and the rate of PS. All together, our results suggest that mTORC1 inhibition at the initial (1 day), but not later (7 days) stage of HS can be beneficial for the maintenance of translational capacity (ribosome biogenesis) and the rate of PS in rat soleus muscle.