Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 287: R1419-R1426, 2004.
First published August 12, 2004; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00421.2004
0363-6119/04 $5.00
ENVIRONMENTAL, EXERCISE AND RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY
Chronic low-frequency stimulation upregulates uncoupling protein-3 in transforming rat fast-twitch skeletal muscle
Charles T. Putman,1,2
Walter T. Dixon,3
Jean A. Pearcey,1
Ian M. MacLean,1
Michelle J. Jendral,3
Mónika Kiricsi,1,2
Gordon K. Murdoch,3 and
Dirk Pette4
1Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, 2The Centre for Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, 3Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H9; and 4Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany D-78457
Submitted 24 June 2004
; accepted in final form 6 August 2004
The purpose of this investigation was to examine the temporal changes in uncoupling protein (UCP)-3 expression, as well as related adaptive changes in mitochondrial density and fast-to-slow fiber type transitions during chronically enhanced contractile activity. We examined the effects of 142 days of chronic low-frequency electrical stimulation (CLFS), applied to rat tibialis anterior (TA) for 10 h/day, on the expression of UCP-3 and concomitant changes in myosin heavy chain (MHC) protein expression and increases in oxidative capacity. UCP-3 protein content increased from 1 to 12 days, reaching 1.5-fold over control (P < 0.0005); it remained elevated for up to 42 days. In contrast, UCP-3 mRNA decreased in response to CLFS, reaching a level that was threefold lower than control (P < 0.0007). The activities of the mitochondrial reference enzymes citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7) and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35), which are known to increase in proportion to mitochondrial density, progressively increased up to an average of 2.3-fold (P < 0.00001). These changes were accompanied by fast-to-slow fiber type transitions, characterized by a shift in the pattern of MHC expression (P <0.0002): MHCI and MHCIIa expression increased by 1.7- and 4-fold, whereas MHCIIb displayed a 2.4-fold reduction. We conclude that absolute increases in UCP-3 protein content in the early adaptive phase were associated with the genesis of mitochondria containing a normal complement of UCP-3. However, during exposure to long-term CLFS, mitochondria were generated with a lower complement of UCP-3 and coincided with the emergence of a growing population of oxidative type IIA fibers.
mitochondrial density; fiber type transitions
Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: C. T. Putman, E-417 Van Vliet Centre, Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H9 (E-mail: tputman{at}ualberta.ca)
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Copyright © 2004 by the American Physiological Society.