Biomedical subjects

Kay Ohlendieck

Publications and source records attributed to Kay Ohlendieck.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Comparative analysis of Dp427-deficient mdx tissues shows that the milder dystrophic phenotype of extraocular and toe muscle fibres is associated with a persistent expression of beta-dystroglycan.

The cell biological hypothesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy assumes that deficiency in the membrane cytoskeletal element dystrophin triggers a loss in surface glycoproteins, such as beta-dystroglycan, thereby rendering the sarcolemmal membrane more susceptible to micro-rupturing. Secondary changes in ion homeostasis, such as increased cytosolic Ca2+ levels and impaired luminal Ca2+ buffering, eventually lead to Ca2+-induced myonecrosis. However, individual muscle groups exhibit a graded pathological response during the natural time course of x-linked muscular dystrophy. The absence of the dystrophin isofom Dp427 does not necessarily result in a severe dystrophic phenotype in all muscle groups. In the dystrophic mdx animal model, extraocular and toe muscles are not as severely affected as limb muscles. Here, we show that the relative expression and sarcolemmal localization of the central trans-sarcolemmal linker of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, beta-dystroglycan, is preserved in mdx extraocular and toe fibres by means of two-dimensional immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Thus, with respect to improving myology diagnostics, the relative expression levels of beta-dystroglycan appear to represent reliable markers for the severity of secondary changes in dystrophin-deficient fibres. Immunoblotting and enzyme assays revealed that mdx toe muscle fibres exhibit an increased expression and activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase. Chemical crosslinking studies demonstrated impaired calsequestrin oligomerization in mdx gastrocnemius muscle indicating that abnormal calsequestrin clustering is involved in reduced Ca2+ buffering of the dystrophic sarcoplasmic reticulum. Previous studies have mostly attributed the sparing of certain mdx fibres to the special protective properties of small-diameter fibres. Our study suggests that the rescue of dystrophin-associated glycoproteins, and possibly the increased removal of cytosolic Ca2+ ions, might also play an important role in protecting muscle cells from necrotic changes.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPases (SERCA1 and -2) in human extraocular muscles.

PURPOSE: To investigate the composition of the fibers in human extraocular muscles (EOMs) with respect to the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)ATPases (SERCA)-1 and -2 and to investigate possible correlations between SERCA and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition. METHODS: EOM samples were processed for immunocytochemistry with monoclonal antibodies specific against SERCA1 (fast isoform), SERCA2 (slow isoform), or different MyHCs. A total of 1571 fibers were analyzed. Microsomal EOM fractions were analyzed with SDS-PAGE and immunoblots. RESULTS: The fast fibers, containing MyHCIIa, accounted for 79% of the fibers in the orbital layer (OL) and 74% in the global layer (GL). More than 99% of these fibers contained SERCA1, and 86% of them coexpressed SERCA1 and -2. Almost all slow fibers stained with SERCA2; 54% of those in the GL and all in the OL coexpressed SERCA1 and -2. Fifteen percent of the fibers in the GL and less than 1% in the OL were MyHCeom(pos)/MyHCIIa(neg) fibers. All these contained SERCA1 and in the OL also stained strongly with anti-SERCA2. Biochemically SERCA2 was more abundant than SERCA1. CONCLUSIONS: The human EOMs had a very complex pattern of expression of the major protein regulating fiber relaxation rate. The coexistence of SERCA1 and -2, together with complex mixtures of MyHCs in most of the fibers provide the human EOMs with a unique molecular portfolio that allows a highly specific fine-tuning regimen of contraction and relaxation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Persistent expression of the alpha1S-dihydropyridine receptor in aged human skeletal muscle: implications for the excitation-contraction uncoupling hypothesis of sarcopenia.

Previous studies on aged animal muscle suggest that excitation-contraction uncoupling and fibre transitions play a central role in sarcopenia, the progressive loss and functional decline of aging skeletal muscle fibres. A drastic reduction in the voltage-sensing alpha1S-subunit of the transverse-tubular dihydropyridine receptor is believed to be the underlying cause for a decreased transmission of the surface depolarization signal into Ca2+-mediated muscle contraction. Extending these studies to human muscle, we asked whether potential changes in the relative expression of the voltage sensor occur in senescent human fibres. For internal standardization and as markers of potential fast-to-slow transitions, the fast isoforms of the Ca2+-binding element calsequestrin and the myosin heavy chain were employed. Besides small inter-individual variations in expression levels, the microsomal immunoblot analysis of vastus lateralis autopsy specimens from male humans aged 18 to 82 years of age showed no major changes in the relative abundance of the alpha1S- and alpha2-dihydropyridine receptor, fast calsequestrin and the slow/fast myosin heavy chains. The oligomeric status of the alpha1S-dihydropyridine receptor was unaltered in aged fibres. Biochemical assays revealed no significant modifications in Ca2+-ATPase activity and a reduced Ca2+-binding capacity in aged human muscle preparations. Although impairments of other Ca2+-regulatory proteins and/or disturbed protein-protein interactions might be involved in the pathophysiological changes of sarcopenia, dihydropyridine receptor and calsequestrin expression seem to be preserved during the aging process of human skeletal muscle fibres. Hence, the supposition that excitation-contraction uncoupling is responsible for sarcopenia can not be transferred from animal models to senescent human muscle without modifications.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Distal mdx muscle groups exhibiting up-regulation of utrophin and rescue of dystrophin-associated glycoproteins exemplify a protected phenotype in muscular dystrophy.

Unique unaffected skeletal muscle fibres. unlike necrotic torso and limb muscles, may pave the way for a more detailed understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of inherited neuromuscular disorders and help to develop new treatment strategies for muscular dystrophies. The sparing of extraocular muscle in Duchenne muscular dystrophy is mostly attributed to the special protective properties of extremely fast-twitching small-diameter fibres, but here we show that distal muscles also represent a particular phenotype that is more resistant to necrosis. Immunoblot analysis of membranes isolated from the well established dystrophic animal model mdx shows that, in contrast to dystrophic limb muscles, the toe musculature exhibits an up-regulation of the autosomal dystrophin homologue utrophin and a concomitant rescue of dystrophin-associated glycoproteins. Thus distal mdx muscle groups provide a cellular system that naturally avoids myofibre degeneration which might be useful in the search for naturally occurring compensatory mechanisms in inherited skeletal muscle diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Supramolecular calsequestrin complex.

As recently demonstrated by overlay assays using calsequestrin-peroxidase conjugates, the major 63 kDa Ca(2+)-binding protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum forms complexes with itself, and with junctin (26 kDa), triadin (94 kDa) and the ryanodine receptor (560 kDa) [Glover, L., Culligan, K., Cala, S., Mulvey, C. & Ohlendieck, K. (2001) Biochim. Biophys. Acta1515, 120-132]. Here, we show that variations in the relative abundance of these four central elements of excitation-contraction coupling in different fiber types, and during chronic electrostimulation-induced fiber type transitions, are reflected by distinct alterations in the calsequestrin overlay binding patterns. Comparative immunoblotting with antibodies to markers of the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum, in combination with the calsequestrin overlay binding patterns, confirmed a lower ryanodine receptor expression in slow soleus muscle compared to fast fibers, and revealed a drastic reduction of the RyR1 isoform in chronic low-frequency stimulated tibialis anterior muscle. The fast-to-slow transition process included a distinct reduction in fast calsequestrin and triadin and a concomitant reduction in calsequestrin binding to these sarcoplasmic reticulum elements. The calsequestrin-binding protein junctin was not affected by the muscle transformation process. The increase in calsequestrin and decrease in junctin expression during postnatal development resulted in similar changes in the intensity of binding of the calsequestrin conjugate to these sarcoplasmic reticulum components. Aged skeletal muscle fibers tended towards reduced protein interactions within the calsequestrin complex. This agrees with the physiological concept that the key regulators of Ca(2+) homeostasis exist in a supramolecular membrane assembly and that protein-protein interactions are affected by isoform shifting underlying the finely tuned adaptation of muscle fibers to changed functional demands.

Aging↗

PubMed2002

Drastic reduction of calsequestrin-like proteins and impaired calcium binding in dystrophic mdx muscle.

Although the reduction in dystrophin-associated glycoproteins is the primary pathophysiological consequence of the deficiency in dystrophin, little is known about the secondary abnormalities leading to x-linked muscular dystrophy. As abnormal Ca(2+) handling may be involved in myonecrosis, we investigated the fate of key Ca(2+) regulatory membrane proteins in dystrophic mdx skeletal muscle membranes. Whereas the expression of the ryanodine receptor, the dihydropyridine receptor, the Ca(2+)-ATPase, and calsequestrin was not affected, a drastic decline in calsequestrin-like proteins of 150-220 kDa was observed in dystrophic microsomes using one-dimensional immunoblotting, two-dimensional immunoblotting with isoelectric focusing, diagonal two-dimensional blotting technique, and immunoprecipitation. In analogy, overall Ca(2+) binding was reduced in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of dystrophic muscle. The reduction in Ca(2+) binding proteins might be directly involved in triggering impaired Ca(2+) sequestration within the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Thus disturbed sarcolemmal Ca(2+) fluxes seem to influence overall Ca(2+) homeostasis, resulting in distinct changes in the expression profile of a subset of Ca(2+) handling proteins, which might be an important factor in the progressive functional decline of dystrophic muscle fibers.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Diversity of the Brain Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common inherited neuromuscular disorder, is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. One third of Duchenne patients suffer a moderate to severe, nonprogressive form of mental retardation. Mutations in the DMD gene are thought to be responsible, with the shorter isoforms of dystrophin implicated in its molecular brain pathogenesis. It is becoming clear that region-specific variations in dystrophin isoforms delegate the composition of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex in brain, and hence, the function of the specific membrane assembly. Here we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of brain dystrophin, dystrophin-related proteins and dystrophin-associated proteins.

Journal Article↗