Upregulation of RGK Protein Expression in Aging Mouse Fast Twitch Skeletal Muscle

Abstract

A component of muscle weakness in older individuals is directly attributable to compromised excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. In skeletal muscle, the L-type Ca2+ channel (CaV1.1) serves as the voltage sensor for EC coupling by triggering Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in response to plasma membrane depolarization.Although it has been established that impaired EC coupling (termed “EC uncoupling” by O. Delbono and colleagues) in aged individuals is caused by a reduction in the number of L-type channels present in the plasma membrane, the molecular mechanisms responsible for transducing age-dependent cellular signals (e.g., oxidative stress) to decreased CaV1.1 membrane expression remain enigmatic. In this study, we have investigated a role for RGK (Rad, Rem, Rem2, Gem/Kir) family small G proteins in EC uncoupling because: 1) expression of endogenous Rad is enhanced in response to oxidative stress in skeletal muscle, and 2) overexpression of Rem in muscle cells mimics EC uncoupling. We have found that exogenous overexpression of Rad in cultured myotubes also mimics EC uncoupling. Moreover, immunoblotting of fast-twitch tibialis anterior and mixed gastrocnemius muscle lysates revealed progressive age-dependent enhancement of Rad protein levels while Rad expression was largely absent in slow-twitch soleus muscle in all age groups (ranging from 2-36 months). Taken together, our observations raise the possibility that Rad acts as one molecular link between elevated oxidative stress and EC uncoupling in aging fast-twitch muscle. Conversely, the lack of Rad expression in slow twitch muscle suggests that Rad may play a role in the disproportionate retention of slow twitch fibers in aged individuals.