Skeletal muscle function is important to the human body for daily activities. Mechanical signals are critical to the maintenance of that function. Muscle diseases, such as the muscular dystrophies, in which the force transmission apparatus is compromised, have devastating effects on muscle function and quality of life. Mechanical signals activate intracellular signaling to maintain function. ERK2 has been shown to be quickly and strongly upregulated following stretch, leading to cell proliferation. Stretch has been shown to cause deformation of caveolae, invaginations of the plasma membrane that inhibit ERK signaling. This leads to the hypothesis that stretch induced deformation of caveolae may initiate mechanotransduction by activating ERK2. Reducing caveolin-3 expression via siRNA knockdown eradicated the stretch-induced effect on ERK2 activation, indicating that caveolin is required for the stretch response. Stabilizing caveolae structure by temperature reduction or destabilizing caveolae by cholesterol depletion resulted in changes consistent with the hypothesis that proper caveolae structure plays an important role in inhibition of signaling molecules and that deformation mediates mechanotransduction, resulting in changes in activation of ERK2.

In adult cardiomyocytes, the established mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling is calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) mediated by L-type Ca2+ channels (Cav1.2). Briefly, membrane depolarization opens voltage-gated Cav1.2 to allow for the influx of extracellular Ca2+ into the cytosol. This small sarcolemmal (SL) Ca2+ influx is necessary for triggering a larger release of Ca2+ from the intracellular Ca2+ storage site, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), through the SR Ca2+ release channel also known as the ryanodine receptor (RyR). RyR-mediated release of SR Ca2+ effectively raises the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, allowing for Ca2+ binding to troponin C on the troponin-tropomysin complex, leading to cross-bridge formation and cell contraction. However, previous functional data suggests an additional CICR modality involving reverse mode Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activity also exists in neonate cardiomyocytes. To further our understanding of how CICR changes occur during development, we investigated the spatial arrangement of caveolin-3 (cav-3), the principle structural protein of small membrane invaginations named caveolae, and NCX in developing rabbit ventricular myocytes. Using traditional as well as novel image processing and analysis techniques, both qualitative and quantitative findings firmly establish the highly robust and organized nature of NCX and cav-3 distributions during development. Specifically, our results show that NCX and cav-3 are distributed on the peripheral membrane as discrete clusters and are not highly colocalized throughout development. 3D distance analysis revealed that NCX and cav-3 clusters are organized with a distinct longitudinal and transverse periodicity of 1-1.5 μm and that NCX and cav-3 cluster have a pronounced tendency to be mutually exclusive on the cell periphery. Although these findings do not support the original hypothesis that caveolae is the structuring element for a restricted microdomain facilitating NCX-CICR, our results cannot rule out the existence of such microdomain organized by other anchoring proteins. The developmentally stable distributions of NCX and cav-3 imply that the observed developmental CICR changes are achieved by the spatial re-organization of other protein partners of NCX or non-spatial modifications. In addition, the newly developed image processing and analysis techniques can have wide applicability to the investigations on the spatial distribution of other proteins and cellular structures.

In adult cardiomyocytes, the established mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling is calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) mediated by L-type Ca2+ channels (Cav1.2). Briefly, membrane depolarization opens voltage-gated Cav1.2 to allow for the influx of extracellular Ca2+ into the cytosol. This small sarcolemmal (SL) Ca2+ influx is necessary for triggering a larger release of Ca2+ from the intracellular Ca2+ storage site, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), through the SR Ca2+ release channel also known as the ryanodine receptor (RyR). RyR-mediated release of SR Ca2+ effectively raises the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, allowing for Ca2+ binding to troponin C on the troponin-tropomysin complex, leading to cross-bridge formation and cell contraction. However, previous functional data suggests an additional CICR modality involving reverse mode Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activity also exists in neonate cardiomyocytes. To further our understanding of how CICR changes occur during development, we investigated the spatial arrangement of caveolin-3 (cav-3), the principle structural protein of small membrane invaginations named caveolae, and NCX in developing rabbit ventricular myocytes. Using traditional as well as novel image processing and analysis techniques, both qualitative and quantitative findings firmly establish the highly robust and organized nature of NCX and cav-3 distributions during development. Specifically, our results show that NCX and cav-3 are distributed on the peripheral membrane as discrete clusters and are not highly colocalized throughout development. 3D distance analysis revealed that NCX and cav-3 clusters are organized with a distinct longitudinal and transverse periodicity of 1-1.5 μm and that NCX and cav-3 cluster have a pronounced tendency to be mutually exclusive on the cell periphery. Although these findings do not support the original hypothesis that caveolae is the structuring element for a restricted microdomain facilitating NCX-CICR, our results cannot rule out the existence of such microdomain organized by other anchoring proteins. The developmentally stable distributions of NCX and cav-3 imply that the observed developmental CICR changes are achieved by the spatial re-organization of other protein partners of NCX or non-spatial modifications. In addition, the newly developed image processing and analysis techniques can have wide applicability to the investigations on the spatial distribution of other proteins and cellular structures.

In adult cardiomyocytes, the established mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling is calcium-induced calcium release (CICR) mediated by L-type Ca2+ channels (Cav1.2). Briefly, membrane depolarization opens voltage-gated Cav1.2 to allow for the influx of extracellular Ca2+ into the cytosol. This small sarcolemmal (SL) Ca2+ influx is necessary for triggering a larger release of Ca2+ from the intracellular Ca2+ storage site, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), through the SR Ca2+ release channel also known as the ryanodine receptor (RyR). RyR-mediated release of SR Ca2+ effectively raises the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, allowing for Ca2+ binding to troponin C on the troponin-tropomysin complex, leading to cross-bridge formation and cell contraction. However, previous functional data suggests an additional CICR modality involving reverse mode Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) activity also exists in neonate cardiomyocytes. To further our understanding of how CICR changes occur during development, we investigated the spatial arrangement of caveolin-3 (cav-3), the principle structural protein of small membrane invaginations named caveolae, and NCX in developing rabbit ventricular myocytes. Using traditional as well as novel image processing and analysis techniques, both qualitative and quantitative findings firmly establish the highly robust and organized nature of NCX and cav-3 distributions during development. Specifically, our results show that NCX and cav-3 are distributed on the peripheral membrane as discrete clusters and are not highly colocalized throughout development. 3D distance analysis revealed that NCX and cav-3 clusters are organized with a distinct longitudinal and transverse periodicity of 1-1.5 μm and that NCX and cav-3 cluster have a pronounced tendency to be mutually exclusive on the cell periphery. Although these findings do not support the original hypothesis that caveolae is the structuring element for a restricted microdomain facilitating NCX-CICR, our results cannot rule out the existence of such microdomain organized by other anchoring proteins. The developmentally stable distributions of NCX and cav-3 imply that the observed developmental CICR changes are achieved by the spatial re-organization of other protein partners of NCX or non-spatial modifications. In addition, the newly developed image processing and analysis techniques can have wide applicability to the investigations on the spatial distribution of other proteins and cellular structures. / Medicine, Faculty of / Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of / Graduate

There is a large variety of diseases caused by single-gene mutations. Although most of these conditions are rare, together they impose a significant burden to the population. This thesis describes clinical and genetic studies of two single-gene diseases: 1) Adult-onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy with autonomic symptoms (ADLD) caused by LMNB1 gene duplications, and characterized by autonomic, pyramidal and cerebellar symptoms. Spinal cords of patients with ADLD were studied by MRI and found to be thin, with high signal intensity in white matter. Histopathology showed loss of myelinated fibres with some reactive gliosis. DNA samples from four different families with ADLD were obtained, and the LMNB1 gene was screened for duplications. Single nucleotide polymorphism array revealed LMNB1 duplications in all ADLD families. LMNB1 mRNA and protein levels were assessed in white blood cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, and increased levels of LMNB1 mRNA and lamin B1 protein could be demonstrated. We concluded that spinal cord atrophy in patients with ADLD is a valuable differential diagnostic sign, and that increased levels of LMNB1 can be detected in peripheral blood. 2) Rippling muscle disease (RMD) is caused by CAV3 gene mutations. Clinical features are percussion-induced muscle mounding, –rapid contractions and undulating muscle contractions (rippling). The CAV3 gene was sequenced in 38 members of a family with RMD. Twenty-two individuals had clinical features of RMD. No muscle weakness was seen. All patients with signs of RMD carried the p.A46T CAV3 mutation, showing that the p.A46T mutation was benign and that the diagnosis can be made clinically. In vitro contracture test results from 10 of the subjects were collected, but no association between pathological test results and RMD was found.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) enhance myocardial injury, but brief periods of myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion [ischemic preconditioning (IP)] induce cardioprotection. Ischemia is reported to stimulate glucose uptake through the translocation of GLUT-4 from the intracellular vesicles to the sarcolemma. In the present study we demonstrated involvement of ROS in IP-mediated GLUT-4 translocation along with increased expression of caveolin (Cav)-3, phospho (p)-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), p-Akt, and decreased expression of Cav-1. The rats were divided into the following groups: 1) control sham, 2) N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, free radical scavenger) sham (NS), 3) I/R, 4) IP + I/R (IP), and 5) NAC + IP (IPN). IP was performed by four cycles of 4 min of ischemia and 4 min of reperfusion followed by 30 min of ischemia and 3, 24, 48 h of reperfusion, depending on the protocol. Increased mRNA expression of GLUT-4 and Cav-3 was observed after 3 h of reperfusion in the IP group compared with other groups. IP increased expression of GLUT-4, Cav-3, and p-AKT and p-eNOS compared with I/R. Coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated decreased association of Cav-1/eNOS in the IP group compared with the I/R group. Significant GLUT-4 and Cav-3 association was also observed in the IP group. This association was disrupted when NAC was used in conjunction with IP. It clearly documents a significant role of ROS signaling in Akt/eNOS/Cav-3-mediated GLUT-4 translocation and association in IP myocardium. In conclusion, we demonstrated a novel redox mechanism in IP-induced eNOS and GLUT-4 translocation and the role of caveolar paradox in making the heart euglycemic during the process of ischemia, leading to myocardial protection in a clinically relevant rat ischemic model.

No description available.

The muscle-specific membrane protein, Caveolin-3, is a building block of caveolae a type of specialised lipid raft. Caveolin-3 is proposed to play a central role in variety of cellular functions both structural and functional, from cell signalling to cholesterol homeostasis. Caveolin-3 has also been implicated in processes involved in targeting membrane proteins to the plasma membrane, as well as mediating a host of cell signalling processes. Initial attempts were made to express full-length Caveolin-3 in E.coli. However, more success was achieved in expressing and purifying domains of Caveolin-3. To produce purified full-length Caveolin-3 the baculovirus expression system was employed and we report here that the expression of Caveolin-3 in insect (Sf9) cells leads to the formation of caveolae comparable in size to those observed in native vesicles. We subsequently purified the recombinant Caveolin-3 and determined, using multi-angle laser light scattering, that the isolated protein forms an oligomer with a molecular mass of ~200-220kDa. Using negative-stain transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with single particle analysis we have determined the first three-dimensional structure for Caveolin-3 with data converging to suggest that it forms a nonamer. The 9-fold symmetric three-dimensional Caveolin-3 volume is toroidal, ~16.5nm in diameter and 5.5nm thick, and is characterised by an outer rim of protein connected to a central 'cone-shaped' domain. Labelling studies revealed that the C-terminal domain of each of the contributing Caveolin-3 monomers associate to form the central cone density. There is also evidence to suggest that Caveolin-3 is associated with a range of proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling. Having identified multiple potential caveolin-binding motifs within the Ryanodine Receptor, one of the key protein components of excitation-contraction coupling, we have purified the skeletal isoform of the Ryanodine Receptor (Ryanodine Receptor-1) from sheep calf muscle and using several biophysical techniques probed whether there is an interaction between Caveolin-3 and Ryanodine Receptor-1. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that the two proteins do indeed interact, but functional studies for analysis of binding characteristics were inconclusive. In conclusion, this thesis describes both the successfully purification and structural determination of Caveolin-3, generating the first 3D data for any of the caveolin proteins, as well as work aimed at understanding its functional relationship with Ryanodine Receptor-1.

Les cavéoles sont des invaginations de la membrane plasmique qui nécessitent les cavéolines pour leur biogénèse. Récemment, mon laboratoire d’accueil a décrit un nouveau rôle pour les cavéoles dans la réponse au stress mécanique (Sinha et al, Cell, 2011). Des mutations de la Cavéoline-3 (Cav3), isoforme spécifique du muscle, qui mènent à la rétention de la protéine dans l’appareil de Golgi, ont été décrites dans certaines dystrophies musculaires (DM). Mon projet consiste en l’identification du lien fonctionnel entre les mutations de la Cavéoline-3 et les dystrophies musculaires, qui ont comme phénotype principal un défaut d’intégrité et de réparation membranaire et des dérégulations dans l’homéostasie du muscle.Dans des myotubes humains provenant d’un patient portant la mutation Cav3-P28L ou Cav3-R26Q, j’ai pu montré une diminution de la quantité de cavéoles à la membrane plasmique. En conséquence, les myotubes mutants ne sont plus capables de tamponner l’augmentation de la tension membranaire provoquée par un stress mécanique, ce qui conduit à un défaut d’intégrité membranaire. J’ai aussi montré que la voie de l’interleukin-6 (IL6), importante pour l’homéostasie du muscle, est hyperactivée dans les myotubes mutants, révélant un rôle de régulateur négatif de la voie IL6 par Cav3. De plus, cette voie n’est plus régulée négativement quand un stress mécanique est appliqué comme c’est le cas dans les myotubes sauvages (WT). De manière intéressante, les myotubes mutés phénocopient une déplétion de Cav3 et ce phénotype est réversible lorsque l’on reforme des cavéoles à la membrane plasmiques des myotubes mutés en exprimant la forme WT de Cav3. Ceci confirme un lien direct entre les mutations de Cav3 induisant l’absence de cavéoles et le défaut de mécano-protection et mécano-signalisation de la voie IL6. / Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations that require caveolin proteins for their biogenesis. Recently, our laboratory reported a new role for caveolae in the cell response to mechanical stress (Sinha et al, Cell, 2011). Mutations in the CAV3 gene (muscle isoform), which lead to Cav3 retention in the Golgi apparatus, are associated with muscular dystrophies (MD). My project consists in identifying the functional link between Cav3 mutations and MDs, which exhibit defects in membrane integrity and repair, and in muscle homeostasis.In Cav3-P28L and Cav3-R26Q mutated human myotubes, I showed a lack of caveolae structures at the plasma membrane. This results in a failed buffering of membrane tension increase upon mechanical stress, which leads to membrane integrity defects. I also showed that the interleukin-6 (IL6) pathway, important for muscle homeostasis, is overactivated in mutant myotubes, showing evidence of a negative regulation of the pathway by Cav3. Furthermore, the IL6 pathway is no longer negatively regulated upon mechanical stress, as it is the case in wild-type (WT) myotubes. Interestingly, mutated myotubes phenocopy Cav3 depletion, and the phenotype is reversible with caveolae reformation upon expression of the WT form of Cav3. This confirms the direct link between Cav3 mutations and the absence of caveolae with failed mechano-protection and IL6/STAT3 mechano-signaling.