Biomedical subjects

Charles H Lang

Publications and source records attributed to Charles H Lang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Sepsis-induced suppression of skeletal muscle translation initiation mediated by tumor necrosis factor alpha.

Inhibition of translational efficiency is responsible at least in part for the sepsis-induced decrease in protein synthesis observed in skeletal muscle. Moreover, infusion of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) into naive rats produces a comparable decrement. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine whether inhibition of TNF action under in vivo conditions could prevent the sepsis-induced decrease in translation initiation observed in the postabsorptive state. To address this aim, sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and rats were studied in the fasted condition 20 to 24 hours thereafter. Both septic and time-matched nonseptic control rats were pretreated with TNF-binding protein (TNF(BP)) before CLP or sham surgery to neutralize endogenously produced TNF. Sepsis altered the distribution of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in the gastrocnemius by increasing the amount associated with 4E-BP1 (inactive complex) and decreasing the amount bound to eIF4G (active complex). This change in eIF4E availability was associated with a decreased phosphorylation of 4E-BP1. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was also decreased in the gastrocnemius from septic rats. Pretreatment of septic rats with TNF(BP) largely ameliorated the altered distribution of eIF4E as well as the reduced phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, S6, and mTOR. In contrast, sepsis did not change either the total amount or the phosphorylation state of eIF2alpha or eIF2Bepsilon. Furthermore, no sepsis-induced change in eIFs was detected in the slow-twitch soleus muscle. The ability of TNF(BP) to prevent the sepsis-induced alterations in translation initiation was independent of change in plasma insulin and proportional to the insulinlike growth factor I content in blood and muscle but was associated with a reduction in plasma corticosterone. Hence, the decreased constitutive protein synthesis observed in fast-twitch skeletal muscle in response to peritonitis is mediated by a TNF-dependent mechanism affecting mTOR regulation of translation initiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Alcohol regulates eukaryotic elongation factor 2 phosphorylation via an AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent mechanism in C2C12 skeletal myocytes.

Ethanol decreases protein synthesis in cells, although the underlying regulatory mechanisms of this process are not fully established. In the present study incubation of C2C12 myocytes with 100 mm EtOH decreased protein synthesis while markedly increasing the phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2), a key component of the translation machinery. Both mTOR and MEK pathways were found to play a role in regulating the effect of EtOH on eEF2 phosphorylation. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, and the MEK inhibitor PD98059 blocked the EtOH-induced phosphorylation of eEF2, whereas the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190 had no effect. Unexpectedly, EtOH decreased the phosphorylation and activity of the eEF2 upstream regulator eEF2 kinase. Likewise, treatment of cells with the inhibitor rottlerin did not block the stimulatory effect of EtOH on eEF2, suggesting that eEF2 kinase (eEF2K) does not play a role in regulating eEF2. In contrast, increased eEF2 phosphorylation was correlated with an increase in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and activity. Compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, suppressed the effects of EtOH on eEF2 phosphorylation but had no effect on eEF2K, indicating that AMPK regulates eEF2 independent of eEF2K. Finally, EtOH decreased protein phosphatase 2A activity when either eEF2 or AMPK was used as the substrate. Thus, this later action may partially account for the increased phosphorylation of eEF2 in response to EtOH and the observed sensitivity of AMPK to rapamycin and PD98059 treatments. Collectively, the induction of eEF2 phosphorylation by EtOH is controlled by an increase in AMPK and a decrease in protein phosphatase 2A activity.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

PubMed2006

Hormone, cytokine, and nutritional regulation of sepsis-induced increases in atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in skeletal muscle.

Various atrophic stimuli increase two muscle-specific E3 ligases, muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) and atrogin-1, and knockout mice for these "atrogenes" display resistance to denervation-induced atrophy. The present study determined whether increased atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA are mediated by overproduction of endogenous glucocorticoids or inflammatory cytokines in adult rats and whether atrogene expression can be downregulated by anabolic agents such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and the nutrient-signaling amino acid leucine. Both atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA in gastrocnemius was upregulated dose and time dependently by endotoxin. Additionally, peritonitis produced by cecal ligation and puncture increased atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA in gastrocnemius (but not soleus or heart) by 8 h, which was sustained for 72 and 24 h, respectively. Whereas the sepsis-induced increase in atrogin-1 expression was completely prevented by IGF-I, the increased MuRF1 was not altered. In contrast to the IGF-I effect, the sepsis-induced increased mRNA of both atrogenes was unresponsive to either acute or repetitive administration of leucine. Whereas exogenous infusion of TNF-alpha increased atrogin-1 and MuRF1 in gastrocnemius, pretreatment of septic rats with the TNF antagonist TNF-binding protein did not prevent increased expression of either atrogene. Similarly, whereas dexamethasone increased atrogene expression, pretreatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-486 failed to ameliorate the sepsis-induced increase in atrogin-1 and MuRF1. Thus, under in vivo conditions in mature adult rats, the sepsis-induced increase in muscle atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA appears both glucocorticoid and TNF independent and is unresponsive to leucine.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Burn-induced increase in atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 in skeletal muscle is glucocorticoid independent but downregulated by IGF-I.

The present study determined whether thermal injury increases the expression of the ubiquitin (Ub) E3 ligases referred to as muscle ring finger (MuRF)-1 and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx; aka atrogin-1), which are muscle specific and responsible for the increased protein breakdown observed in other catabolic conditions. After 48 h of burn injury (40% total body surface area full-thickness scald burn) gastrocnemius weight was reduced, and this change was associated with an increased mRNA abundance for atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 (3.1- to 8-fold, respectively). Similarly, burn increased polyUb mRNA content in the gastrocnemius twofold. In contrast, there was no burn-induced atrophy of the soleus and no significant change in atrogin-1, MuRF-1, or polyUb mRNA. Burns also did not alter E3 ligase expression in heart. Four hours after administration of the anabolic agent insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I to burned rats, the mRNA content of atrogin-1 and polyUb in gastrocnemius had returned to control values and the elevation in MuRF-1 was reduced 50%. In contrast, leucine did not alter E3 ligase expression. In a separate study, in vivo administration of the proteasome inhibitor Velcade prevented burn-induced loss of muscle mass determined at 48 h. Finally, administration of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-486 did not prevent burn-induced atrophy of the gastrocnemius or the associated elevation in atrogin-1, MuRF-1, or polyUb. In summary, the acute muscle wasting accompanying thermal injury is associated with a glucocorticoid-independent increase in the expression of several Ub E3 ligases that can be downregulated by IGF-I.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Elevated plasma free fatty acids decrease basal protein synthesis, but not the anabolic effect of leucine, in skeletal muscle.

Elevations in free fatty acids (FFAs) impair glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. However, there is no information pertaining to the effect of elevated circulating lipids on either basal protein synthesis or the anabolic effects of leucine and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In chronically catheterized conscious rats, the short-term elevation of plasma FFAs by the 5-h infusion of heparin plus Intralipid decreased muscle protein synthesis by approximately 25% under basal conditions. Lipid infusion was associated with a redistribution of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4E from the active eIF4E.eIF4G complex to the inactive eIF4E.4E-BP1 complex. This shift was associated with a decreased phosphorylation of eIF4G but not 4E-BP1. Lipid infusion did not significantly alter either the total amount or phosphorylation state of mTOR, TSC2, S6K1, or the ribosomal protein S6 under basal conditions. In control rats, oral leucine increased muscle protein synthesis. This anabolic response was not impaired by lipid infusion, and no defects in signal transduction pathways regulating translation initiation were detected. In separate rats that received a bolus injection of IGF-I, lipid infusion attenuated the normal redistribution of eIF4E from the active to inactive complex and largely prevented the increased phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, eIF4G, S6K1, and S6. This IGF-I resistance was associated with enhanced Ser(307) phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). These data indicate that the short-term elevation of plasma FFAs impairs basal protein synthesis in muscle by altering eIF4E availability, and this defect may be related to impaired phosphorylation of eIF4G, not 4E-BP1. Moreover, hyperlipidemia impairs IGF-I action but does not produce leucine resistance in skeletal muscle.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Tumor necrosis factor inhibits growth hormone-mediated gene expression in hepatocytes.

Growth hormone (GH) stimulates STAT5 phosphorylation by JAK2, which activates IGF-I and serine protease inhibitor 2.1 (Spi 2.1) transcription, whereas STAT5 dephosphorylation by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) terminates this signal. We hypothesized that the inhibitory effects of TNF on GH signaling and gene transcription were responsible for hepatic GH resistance. CWSV-1 hepatocytes were treated with TNF, pervanadate (a PTP inhibitor), or both, before GH stimulation. Total and tyrosine-phosphorylated JAK2, STAT5, ERK1/2, SHP-1 and SHP-2, IGF-I, and Spi 2.1 mRNA levels were measured. GH stimulated STAT5 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, IGF-I, and Spi 2.1 mRNA expression. TNF attenuated JAK2/STAT5 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and IGF-I and Spi 2.1 mRNA expression following GH stimulation. SHP-1 and SHP-2 protein levels were unaltered by TNF or GH, and the GH-induced increase in SHP-1 PTP activity was not further increased by TNF. In TNF-treated cells, pervanadate restored STAT5 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation to control levels following GH stimulation but did not restore IGF-I or Spi 2.1 mRNA induction. Cells transfected with a Spi 2.1 promoter-luciferase vector demonstrate a 50-fold induction in luciferase activity following GH stimulation or cotransfection with a constitutively active STAT5 vector. TNF prevented the induction of Spi 2.1 promoter activity by GH and the STAT5 construct. We conclude that TNF does not inhibit GH activity by inducing SHP-1 or -2 expression and that correction of GH signaling defects in TNF-treated cells by pervanadate does not restore GH-induced gene expression. The inhibitory effects of TNF on GH-mediated gene transcription appear independent of STAT5 activity and previously identified abnormalities in JAK2/STAT5 signaling.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Hepatic growth hormone resistance during sepsis is associated with increased suppressors of cytokine signaling expression and impaired growth hormone signaling.

OBJECTIVE: During sepsis, a two- to four-fold increase in circulating growth hormone (GH) is seen with 40-50% reductions in plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS), inhibitors of cytokine, and growth factor signaling via the janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway have been implicated in the development of hepatic GH resistance. In this study we examine the effects of sepsis on GH-induced IGF-I expression and potential mechanisms for GH resistance. DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS: Rats were randomized to laparotomy alone (control) or implantation of fecal agar pellets inoculated with Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis (sepsis). GH was injected intravenously to assess hepatic IGF-I synthesis and GH signaling. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma IGF-I was measured in both groups at baseline (4 hrs postoperatively) and then again at 12 hrs and 24 hrs after GH administration. Basal IGF-I levels were similar in both groups, but controls had a 35% increase in IGF-I at 12 hrs, whereas septic rats demonstrated reductions in circulating IGF-I at 12 and 24 hrs after GH. Hepatic expression of SOCS-1, -2, -3, and cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CIS) were determined at 1, 4, 8, and 24 hrs in septic and control rats by Northern blot. SOCS-1, SOCS-3, and CIS messenger RNA in liver were increased from 4 to 8 hrs after the induction of sepsis (p < .05 for SOCS-1 and -3). Total GH receptor (GHR), JAK2, and STAT5 signaling proteins and the time course of STAT5 activation were also measured in liver after recombinant human GH administration by immunoblot and electrophoretic mobility shift analysis. Levels of total GHR, JAK2, and STAT5 were unaltered in liver from septic rats. However, phosphorylated STAT5 and STAT5 DNA binding were significantly reduced 30 mins after GH administration in liver from septic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Sepsis diminished STAT5 phosphorylation and activity in liver as well as plasma IGF-I following GH administration. Hepatic messenger RNA expression of SOCS-1, SOCS-3, and CIS was transiently increased during abdominal sepsis and temporally associated with the development of hepatic GH resistance.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

Absence of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPAR)alpha enhanced the multiple organ failure induced by zymosan.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors related to retinoid, steroid, and thyroid hormone receptors. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of PPAR-alpha receptor on the development of multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) induced by zymosan. MODS was induced by peritoneal injection of zymosan (dose, 500 mg/kg i.p. as a suspension in saline) in PPAR-alpha wild-type (PPAR-alphaWT) and PPAR-alpha knockout (PPAR-alphaKO) mice, was assessed 18 h after the administration of zymosan, and was monitored for 12 days (for loss of body weight and mortality). A severe inflammatory process, induced by zymosan administration in wild-type mice, coincided with the damage of liver, kidney, pancreas, and small intestine. Myeloperoxidase activity, indicative of neutrophil infiltration, and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased in zymosan-treated wild-type mice. Zymosan in the wild-type mice also induced a significant increase in the plasma levels of nitrite/nitrate. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a marked increase in the immunoreactivity to nitrotyrosine and Fas ligand in the intestine of zymosan-treated wild-type mice. In contrast, the degree of (1) peritoneal inflammation and tissue injury, (2) nitrotyrosine formation and Fas ligand expression, and (3) neutrophil infiltration were markedly enhanced in intestinal tissue obtained from zymosan-treated PPAR-alphaKO mice. Zymosan-treated PPAR-alphaKO mice also showed a significantly increased mortality. Taken together, the present study clearly demonstrates that PPAR-alpha pathway modulates the degree of MODS associated with zymosan-induced nonseptic shock.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Alcohol and indinavir adversely affect protein synthesis and phosphorylation of MAPK and mTOR signaling pathways in C2C12 myocytes.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol and the antiretroviral drug indinavir (Ind) decrease protein synthesis in skeletal muscle under in vivo and in vitro conditions. The goal of the present study was to identify signaling mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effect of ethanol (EtOH) and Ind on protein synthesis. METHODS: C2C12 mouse myocytes were incubated with EtOH, Ind, or a combination of both for 24 hours. The rate of protein synthesis was determined by [35S]methionine/cysteine incorporation into cellular protein. Phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation and elongation factors were quantitated by Western blot analysis to identify potential mechanisms for regulating translation. RESULTS: Treatment of myocytes with Ind or EtOH for 24 hours decreased protein synthesis by 19 and 22%, respectively, while a 35% decline was observed in cells treated simultaneously with both agents. Mechanistically, treatment with EtOH or Ind decreased the phosphorylation of the S6 ribosomal protein, and this reduction was associated with decreased S6K1 and p90rsk phosphorylation. Ethanol also decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, mTOR, and 4EBP1, while Ind only suppressed ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Both agents inhibited the phosphorylation of Mnk1 and its upstream regulator p38 MAPK, and they decreased the amount of the active eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G/eIF4E complex. Finally, EtOH and/or Ind increased phosphorylation of the eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF)-2 by 1.6- to 6-fold. The effects of these agents were not additive, although the combination did exert a greater effect on S6K1 and eEF2 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: Ethanol and Ind decreased protein synthesis in myocytes and this response was associated with changes in the phosphorylation of proteins that regulate translation initiation and elongation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Chronic alcohol accentuates nutritional, metabolic, and immune alterations during asymptomatic simian immunodeficiency virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse has been reported to have a high prevalence in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population. However, its impact on disease progression is unknown. Studies dissecting the drug-induced or alcohol-induced metabolic derangements that are likely to alter the course of disease progression are lacking. This is particularly important because of the substantial reduction in morbidity and mortality of patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV infection has become a more chronic disease during which alcohol-induced metabolic alterations may become more prevalent and pronounced. METHODS: The present study used a model of chronic intragastric alcohol administration initiated 3 months before intravenous simian immunodeficiency (SIV) inoculation and continued thereafter throughout the course of SIV infection, to investigate the impact of chronic alcohol binge-like consumption during the initial 10-month asymptomatic phase of SIV infection in nonhuman primate rhesus macaques. Anthropometric, metabolic, biochemical, nutritional, and immune state indicators were examined before infection and at 3-month intervals in asymptomatic chronic alcohol-treated SIV-infected macaques and time-matched isocaloric and uninfected controls. RESULTS: Intravenous SIV(DeltaB670) infection resulted in increased viral load, decreased circulating CD4(+)/CD8(+) lymphocyte ratio, and increased lymphocyte proliferation (Ki67/CD3(+)). Chronic alcohol/SIV(+) animals showed a higher viral load at 3 months post-SIV infection as well as a significant and early decrease in caloric intake and nitrogen balance associated with a change in food choice. Rates of skeletal muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, mRNA expression of IGF-I, myostatin, or the ubiquitin ligase muscle atrophy F-box protein (MAFbx) did not differ from basal during the 10-month asymptomatic period of infection. However, muscle TNF-alpha mRNA expression was markedly increased at 10 months post-SIV infection in alcohol/SIV(+) animals. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that chronic alcohol accelerates nutritional and metabolic dysregulation during SIV infection and may favor a skeletal muscle proinflammatory state, possibly conducive to subsequent muscle wasting.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed2005

Sepsis and inflammatory insults downregulate IGFBP-5, but not IGFBP-4, in skeletal muscle via a TNF-dependent mechanism.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether catabolic stimuli that induce muscle atrophy alter the muscle mRNA abundance of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-4 and -5, and if so determine the physiological mechanism for such a change. Catabolic insults produced by endotoxin (LPS) and sepsis decreased IGFBP-5 mRNA time- and dose-dependently in gastrocnemius muscle. This reduction did not result from muscle disuse because hindlimb immobilization increased IGFBP-5. Continuous infusion of a nonlethal dose of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) decreased IGFBP-5 mRNA 70%, whereas pretreatment of septic rats with a neutralizing TNF binding protein completely prevented the reduction in muscle IGFBP-5. The addition of LPS or TNF-alpha to cultured C(2)C(12) myoblasts also decreased IGFBP-5 expression. Although exogenously administered growth hormone (GH) increased IGFBP-5 mRNA 2-fold in muscle from control rats, muscle from septic animals was GH resistant and no such elevation was detected. In contrast, exogenous administration of IGF-I as part of a binary complex composed of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 produced comparable increases in IGFBP-5 mRNA in both control and septic muscle. Concomitant determinations of IGF-I mRNA content revealed a positive linear relationship between IGF-I and IGFBP-5 mRNA in the same muscle in response to LPS, sepsis, TNF-alpha, and GH treatment. Although dexamethasone decreased muscle IGFBP-5, pretreatment of rats with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 did not prevent the sepsis-induced decrease in IGFBP-5 mRNA. In contrast, muscle IGFBP-4 mRNA abundance was not significantly altered by LPS, sepsis, or hindlimb immobilization. In summary, these data demonstrate that various inflammatory insults decrease muscle IGFBP-5 mRNA, without altering IGFBP-4, by a TNF-dependent glucocorticoid-independent mechanism. Finally, IGF-I appears to be a dominant positive regulator of IGFBP-5 gene expression in muscle under both normal and catabolic conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Multiple Toll-like receptor ligands induce an IL-6 transcriptional response in skeletal myocytes.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) comprise a critical sentinel that monitors body compartments for the presence of pathogens. Skeletal muscle expresses TLRs and responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), by mounting an innate immune response. In the present study, we used C2C12 myocytes as a model system for skeletal muscle during infection. C2C12 cells responded to LPS in a time frame and with a pattern of gene expression that faithfully mimicked the response of skeletal muscle to LPS in vivo. LPS from a variety of Escherichia coli serotypes stimulated IL-6 synthesis. C2C12 cells expressed TLR1-7, but not TLR8 or TLR9, mRNA by RT-PCR. A synthetic tripalmitoylated cysteine-, serine-, and lysine-containing peptide (Pam) and LPS from Porphyromonas gingivalis, two TLR2 ligands, also stimulated IL-6 expression. LPS and Pam stimulated luciferase activity driven from NF-kappaB and IL-6 promoter-containing plasmids, and this response was blunted when the NF-kappaB binding site was mutated. LPS- and Pam-stimulated IL-6 expression was inhibited by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 and the IkappaB kinase-2 (IKK2) inhibitor 2-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-thiophenecarboxamide (TPCA-1). Pam-stimulated NF-kappaB and IL-6 promoter activities were disrupted by a dominant-negative form of TLR2, but not TLR4. Local injection of LPS or Pam into the gastrocnemius muscle stimulated IL-6 mRNA expression in the injected, but not the contralateral, muscle. The LPS- but not Pam-stimulated expression of IL-6 mRNA was blunted in skeletal muscle of mice carrying an inactivating mutation in TLR4. The data suggest that skeletal muscle and muscle cells recognize pathogen-associated molecules with specific TLRs to initiate an IL-6 transcriptional response.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Hindlimb casting decreases muscle mass in part by proteasome-dependent proteolysis but independent of protein synthesis.

The hypothesis of the present study was that rats subjected to short-term unilateral hindlimb immobilization would incur skeletal muscle wasting and concomitant alterations in protein synthesis, controllers of translation, and indexes of protein degradation. Rats were unilaterally casted for 1, 3, or 5 days to avoid complications associated with other disuse models. In the casted limb, gastrocnemius wet weight decreased 12% after 3 days and thereafter remained constant. In contrast, the contralateral control leg displayed a steady growth rate over time. The rate of protein synthesis and translational efficiency were unchanged in the immobilized muscle at day 5. The total amount and phosphorylation state of regulators of translational initiation and elongation were unaltered. The mRNA contents of polyubiquitin and the ubiquitin ligases muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx)/Atrogin-1 and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1) were elevated in immobilized muscle at all time points, with peak expression occurring at day 3. Daily injection of the type II glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU-486 did not prevent decreases in gastrocnemius wet weight nor increases in mRNA for MAFbx/Atrogin-1 and MuRF1. However, in vivo administration of the proteasome inhibitor Velcade prevented 53% of wet weight loss associated with 3 days of immobilization. These data suggest that the loss of skeletal muscle mass in this model of disuse appears to be glucocorticoid independent, can be partially rescued with a potent proteasome inhibitor, and is associated with enhanced mRNA expression of multiple factors that contribute to ubiquitin- proteasome-dependent degradation and are likely to control the remodeling of immobilized skeletal muscle during atrophy.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Indinavir alters regulators of protein anabolism and catabolism in skeletal muscle.

The HIV protease inhibitor indinavir adversely impairs carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, whereas its influence on protein metabolism under in vivo conditions remains unknown. The present study tested the hypothesis that indinavir also decreases basal protein synthesis and impairs the anabolic response to insulin in skeletal muscle. Indinavir was infused intravenously for 4 h into conscious rats, at which time the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance was increased. Indinavir decreased muscle protein synthesis by 30%, and this reduction was due to impaired translational efficiency. To identify potential mechanisms responsible for regulating mRNA translation, several eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) were examined. Under basal fasted conditions, there was a redistribution of eIF4E from the active eIF4E.eIF4G complex to the inactive eIF4E.4E-BP1 complex, and this change was associated with a marked decrease in the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 in muscle. Likewise, indinavir decreased constitutive phosphorylation of eIF4G and mTOR in muscle, but not S6K1 or the ribosomal protein S6. In contrast, the ability of a maximally stimulating dose of insulin to increase the phosphorylation of PKB, 4E-BP1, S6K1, or mTOR was not altered 20 min after intravenous injection. Indinavir increased mRNA expression of the ubiquitin ligase MuRF1, but the plasma concentration of 3-methylhistidine remained unaltered. These indinavir-induced changes were associated with a marked reduction in the plasma testosterone concentration but were independent of changes in plasma levels of IGF-I, corticosterone, TNF-alpha, or IL-6. In conclusion, indinavir acutely impairs basal protein synthesis and translation initiation in skeletal muscle but, in contrast to muscle glucose uptake, does not impair insulin-stimulated signaling of protein synthetic pathways.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed2005

TNFalpha mediates sepsis-induced impairment of basal and leucine-stimulated signaling via S6K1 and eIF4E in cardiac muscle.

Decreased translation initiation adversely impacts protein synthesis and contributes to the myocardial dysfunction produced by sepsis. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to identify sepsis-induced changes in signal transduction pathways known to regulate translation initiation in cardiac muscle and to determine whether the stimulatory effects of leucine can reverse the observed defects. To address this aim, sepsis was produced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in anesthetized rats and the animals studied in the fasted condition 24 h later. Separate groups of septic and time-matched control rats also received an oral gavage of leucine. To identify potential mechanisms responsible for regulating cap-dependent mRNA translation in cardiac muscle, several eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) were examined. Under basal conditions, hearts from septic rats demonstrated a redistribution of the rate-limiting factor eIF4E due to increased binding of the translational repressor 4E-BP1 with eIF4E. However, this change was independent of an alteration in the phosphorylation state of 4E-BP1. The phosphorylation of mTOR, S6K1, the ribosomal protein (rp) S6, and eIF4G was not altered in hearts from septic rats under basal conditions. In control rats, leucine failed to alter eIF4E distribution but increased the phosphorylation of S6K1 and S6. In contrast, in hearts from septic rats leucine acutely reversed the alterations in eIF4E distribution. However, the ability of leucine to increase S6K1 and rpS6 phosphorylation in septic hearts was blunted. Sepsis increased the content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in heart and pre-treatment of rats with a TNF antagonist prevented the above-mentioned sepsis-induced changes. These data indicate that oral administration of leucine acutely reverses sepsis-induced alterations eIF4E distribution observed under basal conditions but the anabolic actions of this amino acid on S6K1 and rpS6 phosphorylation remain blunted, providing evidence for a leucine resistance. Finally, TNFalpha, either directly or indirectly, appears to mediate the sepsis-induced defects in myocardial translation initiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Endotoxin disrupts the leucine-signaling pathway involving phosphorylation of mTOR, 4E-BP1, and S6K1 in skeletal muscle.

Endotoxin (i.e., lipopolysaccharide, LPS) impairs skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Although this impairment is not acutely associated with a decreased plasma concentration of total amino acids, LPS may blunt the anabolic response to amino acids. To examine this hypothesis, rats were injected intraperitoneally with LPS or saline (Sal) and 4 h thereafter were orally administered either leucine (Leu) or Sal. The gastrocnemius was removed 20 min later to assess signaling components important in the translational control of protein synthesis. In the Sal-Leu group phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 in muscle was markedly increased, compared to values from time-matched saline-treated control rats. This change was associated with a redistribution of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E from the inactive eIF4E x 4E-BP1 complex to the active eIF4E x eIF4G complex. In LPS-treated rats, the Leu-induced phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and changes in eIF4E distribution were partially or completely abrogated. LPS also antagonized the Leu-induced increase in phosphorylation of S6K1, ribosomal protein S6 and mTOR. Neither LPS nor leu altered the total amount or phosphorylation of TSC2 in muscle. The ability of LPS to blunt the anabolic effects of Leu could not be attributed to differences in the plasma concentrations of insulin or Leu between groups. Furthermore, the replacement of plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in LPS-treated rats to basal levels also did not ameliorate the defect in leucine-induced phosphorylation of S6K1 or S6, although it did reverse the LPS-induced decrease in the constitutive phosphorylation of mTOR, S6 and 4E-BP1. Pretreatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 was unable to prevent the LPS-induced leucine resistance. In contrast, to the abovementioned results with leucine, LPS did not prevent the ability of pharmacological levels of IGF-I to phosphorylate 4E-BP1, S6K1, mTOR or alter the availability of eIF4E. Hence, LPS working via a glucocorticoid-independent mechanism produces a leucine resistance in skeletal muscle that might be expected to impair the ability of this amino acid to stimulate translation initiation and protein synthesis.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

IGF-I activates the eIF4F system in cardiac muscle in vivo.

IGF-I acutely stimulates protein synthesis in cardiac muscle through acceleration of mRNA translation. In the present study, we examined the regulatory signaling pathways and translation protein factors that potentially contribute to the myocardial responsiveness of protein synthesis to IGF-I in vivo. IGF-I was injected IV into rats and 20 min later the hearts were excised and homogenized for assay of regulatory proteins. IGF-I increased assembly of the translationally active eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4G.eIF4E complex. The increased assembly of eIF4G.eIF4E was associated with an enhanced eIF4G phosphorylation and increased availability of eIF4E. Increased availability of eIF4E occurred as a consequence of diminished abundance of the inactive 4E-BP1.eIF4E complex following IGF-I. The assembly of the 4E-BP1.eIF4E complex appeared to be decreased through an IGF-I-induced phosphorylation of 4E-BP1. IGF-I also caused an increase in the phosphorylation of S6K1. Activation of the potential upstream regulators of 4E-BP1 and S6K1 phosphorylation via PKB and mTOR was also observed. In contrast, there was no effect of IGF-I on phosphorylation of elongation factor (eFE)2. The results suggest the major impact of IGF-I in cardiac muscle occurred via stimulation of translation initiation rather than elongation. Furthermore, the results are consistent with a role for assembly of active eIF4G.eIF4E complex and activation of S6K1 in mediating the stimulation of mRNA translation initiation by IGF-I through a PKB/mTOR signaling pathway.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Molecular mechanisms responsible for alcohol-induced myopathy in skeletal muscle and heart.

Chronic alcohol abuse has the potential to modulate striated muscle physiology and function. The skeletal muscle alcoholic myopathy is characterized by muscle weakness and difficulties in gait and locomotion, while chronic alcohol consumption ultimately leads to a decrease in cardiac contractility and output. In both tissues a loss of protein mass results in part from a decreased protein synthesis that initially manifests as a defect in translational efficiency. This review focuses on recent developments in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which alcohol impairs mRNA translation in skeletal and cardiac muscle, including identification of the signaling pathways and biochemical sites negatively impacted. Defective signaling potentially results from resistance to the normal stimulating effects of anabolic hormones (insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I) and nutrients (leucine) as well as increased production of several negative regulators of muscle mass. Overall, the biochemical mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of loss of skeletal and cardiac muscle are reviewed.

Alcohol-Induced Disorders↗