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bioRxiv · 10.1101/676601

SKELETAL MyBP-C ISOFORMS TUNE THE MOLECULAR CONTRACTILITY OF DIVERGENT SKELETAL MUSCLE SYSTEMS

Abstract

Skeletal muscle myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C) is a myosin thick filament-associated protein; localized through its C terminus to distinct regions (C-zones) of the sarcomere. MyBP-C modulates muscle contractility, presumably through its N terminus extending from the thick filament and interacting with either the myosin head region and/or the actin thin filament. Two isoforms of MyBP-C (fast- and slow-type) are expressed in a muscle-type specific manner. Are the expression, localization, and Ca2+-dependent modulatory capacities of these isoforms different in fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow-twitch soleus (SOL) muscles derived from Sprague-Dawley rats? By mass spectrometry, four MyBP-C isoforms (one fast-type MyBP-C and three N-terminally spliced slow-type MyBP-C) were expressed in EDL but only the three slow-type MyBP-C isoforms in SOL. Using EDL and SOL native thick filaments in which the MyBP-C stoichiometry and localization are preserved, native thin filament sliding over these thick filaments showed that only in the C-zone, MyBP-C Ca2+-sensitizes the thin filament and slows thin filament velocity. These modulatory properties depended on MyBP-Cs N-terminus, as N-terminal proteolysis attenuated MyBP-Cs functional capacities. To determine each MyBP-C isoforms contribution to thin filament Ca2+-sensitization and slowing in the C-zone, we used a combination of in vitro motility assays using expressed recombinant N-terminal fragments and in silico mechanistic modeling. Our results suggest that each skeletal MyBP-C isoforms N terminus is functionally distinct and has modulatory capacities that depend on the muscle-type in which they are expressed, providing the potential for molecular tuning of skeletal muscle performance through differential MyBP-C expression.\n\nSIGNIFICANCEMyosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C) is a critical component of the skeletal muscle sarcomere, muscles smallest contractile unit. MyBP-Cs importance is evident by genetic mutations leading to human myopathies, such as distal arthrogryposis (i.e. club foot). However, the molecular basis of MyBP-Cs functional impact on skeletal muscle contractility is far from certain. Complicating matters further is the expression of fast- and slow-type MyBP-C isoforms that depend on whether the muscle is fast- or slow-twitch. Using multi-scale proteomic, biophysical and mathematical modeling approaches, we define the expression, localization, and modulatory capacities of these distinct skeletal MyBP-C isoforms in rat skeletal muscles. Each MyBP-C isoform appears to modulate muscle contractility differentially; providing the capacity to fine-tune muscles mechanical performance as physiological demands arise.

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BibTeXRIS

Li, A., Nelson, S., Rahmanseresht, S., Braet, F., Cornachione, A. S., Previs, S. B., O'Leary, T. S., McNamara, J. W., Rassier, D. E., Sadayappan, S., Previs, M. J., Warshaw, D. M.. 2019-06-21. SKELETAL MyBP-C ISOFORMS TUNE THE MOLECULAR CONTRACTILITY OF DIVERGENT SKELETAL MUSCLE SYSTEMS. https://doi.org/10.1101/676601

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