Eukaryotic initiation factors and protein synthesis after resistance exercise in rats

Circadian rhythms modulate the effect of eccentric exercise on rat soleus muscles

We investigated whether time-of-day dependent changes in the rat soleus (SOL) muscle size, after eccentric exercises, operate via the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. For our first experiment, we assigned 9-week-old male Wistar rats randomly into four groups: light phase (zeitgeber time; ZT6) non-trained control, dark phase (ZT18) non-trained control, light phase-trained, and dark phase-trained. Trained animals performed 90 min of downhill running once every 3 d for 8 weeks. The second experiment involved dividing 9-week-old male Wistar rats to control and exercise groups. The latter were subjected to 15 min of downhill running at ZT6 and ZT18. The absolute (+12.8%) and relative (+9.4%) SOL muscle weights were higher in the light phase-trained group. p70S6K phosphorylation ratio was 42.6% higher in the SOL muscle of rats that had exercised only in light (non-trained ZT6). Collectively, the degree of muscle hypertrophy in SOL is time-of-day dependent, perhaps via the mTOR/p70S6K signaling.

Co-ingestion of carbohydrate and whey protein increases fasted rates of muscle protein synthesis immediately after resistance exercise in rats

The objective of the study was to investigate whether co-ingestion of carbohydrate and protein as compared with protein alone augments muscle protein synthesis (MPS) during early exercise recovery. Two months old rats performed 10 repetitions of ladder climbing with 75% of body weight attached to their tails. Placebo (PLA), whey protein (WP), or whey protein plus carbohydrate (CP) was then given to rats by gavage. An additional group of sedentary rats (SED) was used as controls. Blood samples were collected immediately and at either 1 or 2 h after exercise. The flexor hallucis longus muscle was excised at 1 or 2 h post exercise for analysis of MPS and related signaling proteins. MPS was significantly increased by CP compared with PLA (p<0.05), and approached significance compared with WP at 1 h post exercise (p = 0.08). CP yielded a greater phosphorylation of mTOR compared with SED and PLA at 1 h post exercise and SED and WP at 2 h post exercise. CP also increased phosphorylation of p70S6K compared with SED at 1 and 2 h post exercise. 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was inhibited by PLA at 1 h but elevated by WP and CP at 2 h post exercise relative to SED. The phosphorylation of AMPK was elevated by exercise at 1 h post exercise, and this elevated level was sustained only in the WP group at 2 h. The phosphorylation of Akt, GSK3, and eIF2Bε were unchanged by treatments. Plasma insulin was transiently increased by CP at 1 h post exercise. In conclusion, post-exercise CP supplementation increases MPS post exercise relative to PLA and possibly WP, which may have been mediated by greater activation of the mTOR signaling pathway.

mTORC1 and JNK coordinate phosphorylation of the p70S6K1 autoinhibitory domain in skeletal muscle following functional overloading

The present project was designed to investigate phosphorylation of p70S6K1 in an animal model of skeletal muscle overload. Within 24 h of male Sprague-Dawley rats undergoing unilateral tenotomy to induce functional overloading of the plantaris muscle, phosphorylation of the Thr³⁸⁹ and Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ sites on p70S6K1 was significantly elevated. Since the Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ sites are purportedly mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) independent, we sought to identify the kinase(s) responsible for their phosphorylation. Initially, we used IGF-I treatment of serum-deprived HEK-293E cells as an in vitro model system, because IGF-I promotes phosphorylation of p70S6K1 on both the Thr³⁸⁹ and Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ sites in skeletal muscle and in cells in culture. We found that, whereas the mTOR inhibitor TORIN2 prevented the IGF-I-induced phosphorylation of the Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ sites, it surprisingly enhanced phosphorylation of these sites during serum deprivation. JNK inhibition with SP600125 attenuated phosphorylation of the Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ sites, and in combination with TORIN2 both the effect of IGF-I and the enhanced Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ phosphorylation during serum deprivation were ablated. In contrast, both JNK activation with anisomycin and knockdown of the mTORC2 subunit rictor specifically stimulated phosphorylation of the Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ sites, suggesting that mTORC2 represses JNK-mediated phosphorylation of these sites. The role of JNK in mediating p70S6K1 phosphorylation was confirmed in the animal model noted above, where rats treated with SP600125 exhibited attenuated Thr⁴²¹/Ser⁴²⁴ phosphorylation. Overall, the results provide evidence that the mTORC1 and JNK signaling pathways coordinate the site-specific phosphorylation of p70S6K1. They also identify a novel role for mTORC1 and mTORC2 in the inhibition of JNK.

Characterization and regulation of mechanical loading-induced compensatory muscle hypertrophy

In mammalian systems, skeletal muscle exists in a dynamic state that monitors and regulates the physiological investment in muscle size to meet the current level of functional demand. This review attempts to consolidate current knowledge concerning development of the compensatory hypertrophy that occurs in response to a sustained increase in the mechanical loading of skeletal muscle. Topics covered include: defining and measuring compensatory hypertrophy, experimental models, loading stimulus parameters, acute responses to increased loading, hyperplasia, myofiber-type adaptations, the involvement of satellite cells, mRNA translational control, mechanotransduction, and endocrinology. The authors conclude with their impressions of current knowledge gaps in the field that are ripe for future study.

Light aerobic physical exercise in combination with leucine and/or glutamine-rich diet can improve the body composition and muscle protein metabolism in young tumor-bearing rats

Nutritional supplementation with some amino acids may influence host's responses and also certain mechanism involved in tumor progression. It is known that exercise influences body weight and muscle composition. Previous findings from our group have shown that leucine has beneficial effects on protein composition in cachectic rat model as the Walker 256 tumor. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of light exercise and leucine and/or glutamine-rich diet in body composition and skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation in young tumor-bearing rats. Walker tumor-bearing rats were subjected to light aerobic exercise (swimming 30 min/day) and fed a leucine-rich (3%) and/or glutamine-rich (4%) diet for 10 days and compared to healthy young rats. The carcasses were analyzed as total water and fat body content and lean body mass. The gastrocnemious muscles were isolated and used for determination of total protein synthesis and degradation. The chemical body composition changed with tumor growth, increasing body water and reducing body fat content and total body nitrogen. After tumor growth, the muscle protein metabolism was impaired, showing that the muscle protein synthesis was also reduced and the protein degradation process was increased in the gastrocnemius muscle of exercised rats. Although short-term exercise (10 days) alone did not produce beneficial effects that would reduce tumor damage, host protein metabolism was improved when exercise was combined with a leucine-rich diet. Only total carcass nitrogen and protein were recovered by a glutamine-rich diet. Exercise, in combination with an amino acid-rich diet, in particular, leucine, had effects beyond reducing tumoral weight such as improving protein turnover and carcass nitrogen content in the tumor-bearing host.

Translational control mechanisms in metabolic regulation: critical role of RNA binding proteins, microRNAs, and cytoplasmic RNA granules

Regulated cell metabolism involves acute and chronic regulation of gene expression by various nutritional and endocrine stimuli. To respond effectively to endogenous and exogenous signals, cells require rapid response mechanisms to modulate transcript expression and protein synthesis and cannot, in most cases, rely on control of transcriptional initiation that requires hours to take effect. Thus, co- and posttranslational mechanisms have been increasingly recognized as key modulators of metabolic function. This review highlights the critical role of mRNA translational control in modulation of global protein synthesis as well as specific protein factors that regulate metabolic function. First, the complex lifecycle of eukaryotic mRNAs will be reviewed, including our current understanding of translational control mechanisms, regulation by RNA binding proteins and microRNAs, and the role of RNA granules, including processing bodies and stress granules. Second, the current evidence linking regulation of mRNA translation with normal physiological and metabolic pathways and the associated disease states are reviewed. A growing body of evidence supports a key role of translational control in metabolic regulation and implicates translational mechanisms in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. The review also highlights translational control of apolipoprotein B (apoB) mRNA by insulin as a clear example of endocrine modulation of mRNA translation to bring about changes in specific metabolic pathways. Recent findings made on the role of 5'-untranslated regions (5'-UTR), 3'-UTR, RNA binding proteins, and RNA granules in mediating insulin regulation of apoB mRNA translation, apoB protein synthesis, and hepatic lipoprotein production are discussed.

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B epsilon induces cap-dependent translation and skeletal muscle hypertrophy

The purpose of this study was to identify signalling components known to control mRNA translation initiation in skeletal muscle that are responsive to mechanical load and may be partly responsible for myofibre hypertrophy. To accomplish this, we first utilized a human cluster model in which skeletalmuscle samples fromsubjects with widely divergent hypertrophic responses to resistance training were used for the identification of signalling proteins associated with the degree myofibre hypertrophy. We found that of 11 translational signalling molecules examined, the response of p(T421/S424)-p70S6K phosphorylation and total eukaryotic initiation factor 2Bε (eIF2Bε) protein abundance after a single bout of unaccustomed resistance exercise was associated with myofibre hypertrophy following 16 weeks of training. Follow up studies revealed that overexpression of eIF2Bε alone was sufficient to induce an 87% increase in cap-dependent translation in L6 myoblasts in vitro and 21% hypertrophy of myofibres in mouse skeletal muscle in vivo (P<0.05).However, genetically altering p70S6K activity had no impact on eIF2Bε protein abundance in mouse skeletal muscle in vivo or multiple cell lines in vitro (P >0.05), suggesting that the two phenomena were not directly related. These are the first data that mechanistically link eIF2Bε abundance to skeletal myofibre hypertrophy, and indicate that eIF2Bε abundance may at least partially underlie the widely divergent hypertrophic phenotypes in human skeletal muscle exposed to mechanical stimuli.

Physical exercise and a leucine-rich diet modulate the muscle protein metabolism in Walker tumor-bearing rats

Leucine-supplemented diet can recover lean body mass and preserve muscle protein mass. Additionally, physical exercise can be an excellent alternative to improve the rehabilitation of cancer patients. Knowing these facts, we examined the effects of a leucine-rich diet with or without physical aerobic exercise on muscle protein metabolism in Walker tumor-bearing rats. Young rats were divided into 4 groups that did or did not perform light aerobic exercise (swim training) and were on a leucine-rich diet or a control diet for 2 mo. After this time, these animals were implanted or not with tumors (subcutaneously) following groups for either control diet or leucine-rich diet fed rats: control, trained, tumor-bearing, and trained tumor-bearing. Twenty-one days after implantation, the tumor growth induced a decrease in the muscle protein synthesis and increased the catabolic process, which was associated with an increase in the expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome subunits (20S, 19S, and 11S). In contrast, the exercise program minimized the muscle degradation process and increased muscle myosin content. Additionally, leucine supplementation also modulated proteasome subunits, especially the 19S and 11S. In summary, the exercise has beneficial effects by reducing tumor growth, leading to an improvement in protein turnover especially when in conjunction with a leucine-rich diet.

Ectopic expression of eIF2Bepsilon in rat skeletal muscle rescues the sepsis-induced reduction in guanine nucleotide exchange activity and protein synthesis

Eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) whose activity is both tightly regulated and rate-controlling with regard to global rates of protein synthesis. Skeletal muscle eIF2B activity and expression of its catalytic epsilon-subunit (eIF2Bepsilon) have been implicated as potential contributors to the altered rates of protein synthesis in a number of physiological conditions and experimental models. The objective of this study was to directly examine the effects of exogenously expressed eIF2Bepsilon in vivo on GEF activity and protein synthetic rates in rat skeletal muscle. A plasmid encoding FLAG-eIF2Bepsilon was transfected into the tibialis anterior (TA) of one leg, while the contralateral TA received a control plasmid. Ectopic expression of eIF2Bepsilon resulted in increased GEF activity in TA homogenates of healthy rats, demonstrating that the expressed protein was catalytically active. In an effort to restore a deficit in eIF2B activity, we utilized an established model of chronic sepsis in which skeletal muscle eIF2B activity is known to be impaired. Ectopic expression of eIF2Bepsilon in the TA rescued the sepsis-induced deficit in GEF activity and muscle protein synthesis. The results demonstrate that modulation of eIF2Bepsilon expression may be sufficient to correct deficits in skeletal muscle protein synthesis associated with sepsis and other muscle-wasting conditions.

Effects of chronic overload on muscle hypertrophy and mTOR signaling in young adult and aged rats

We examined the effect of 28 days of overload on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in young adult (Y; 6-month old) and aged (O; 30-month old) Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rats subjected to bilateral synergist ablation (SA) of two thirds of the gastrocnemius muscle or sham surgery (CON). Although plantaris (PLA) muscle hypertrophy was attenuated by aging, mTOR phosphorylation was 44% and 35% greater in Y SA and O SA compared with CON (p = .038). Ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation was 114% and 24% higher in Y SA and O SA compared with CON (p = .009). Eukaryotic initiation factor 2Bepsilon phosphorylation was 33% and 9% higher in Y SA and O SA compared with CON (p = .04). Translational signaling in young adult and aged plantaris muscle is equally responsive to chronic overload.

A comparison of 2H2O and phenylalanine flooding dose to investigate muscle protein synthesis with acute exercise in rats

The primary objective of this investigation was to determine whether (2)H(2)O and phenylalanine (Phe) flooding dose methods yield comparable fractional rates of protein synthesis (FSR) in skeletal muscle following a single bout of high-intensity resistance exercise (RE). Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned by body mass to either 4-h control (CON 4 h; n = 6), 4-h resistance exercise (RE 4 h; n = 6), 24-h control (CON 24 h; n = 6), or 24-h resistance exercise (RE 24 h; n = 6). The RE groups were operantly conditioned to engage in a single bout of high-intensity, "squat-like" RE. All rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 99.9% (2)H(2)O and provided 4.0% (2)H(2)O drinking water for either 24 (n = 12) or 4 h (n = 12) prior to receiving a flooding dose of l-[2,3,4,5,6-(3)H]Phe 16 h post-RE. Neither method detected an effect of RE on FSR in the mixed gastrocnemius, plantaris, or soleus muscle. Aside from the qualitative similarities between methods, the 4-h (2)H(2)O FSR measurements, when expressed in percent per hour, were quantitatively greater than the 24-h (2)H(2)O and Phe flooding in all muscles (P < 0.001), and the 24-h (2)H(2)O was greater than the Phe flooding dose in the mixed gastrocnemius and plantaris (P < 0.05). In contrast, the actual percentage of newly synthesized protein was significantly higher in the 24- vs. 4-h (2)H(2)O and Phe flooding dose groups (P < 0.001). These results suggest that the methodologies provide "qualitatively" similar results when a perturbation such as RE is studied. However, due to potential quantitative differences between methods, the experimental question should determine what approach should be used.

Resistance exercise decreases eIF2Bε phosphorylation and potentiates the feeding-induced stimulation of p70S6K1 and rpS6 in young men

We investigated the effect of resistance exercise and feeding on the activation of signaling proteins involved in translation initiation. Nine young men (23.7 ± 0.41 yr; BMI = 25.5 ± 1.0 kg/m2; means ± SE) were tested twice after they performed a strenuous bout of unilateral resistance exercise, such that their contralateral leg acted as a nonexercised comparator, in either the fasted and fed [1,000 kJ, each 90 min (3 doses): 10 g protein, 41 g carbohydrate, 4 g fat] states. Muscle biopsies were obtained 6 h postexercise from both legs, resulting in four experimental conditions: rest-fasted, rest-fed, exercise-fasted, and exercise-fed. Feeding increased PKB/Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation ( P < 0.05), while exercise increased the phosphorylation of Akt and the downstream 70 kDa S6 protein kinase (p70S6K1, Thr389) and ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6, Ser235/236, Ser240/244; all P < 0.05). The combination of resistance exercise and feeding increased the phosphorylation of p70S6K1 (Thr389) and rpS6 (Ser240/244) above exercise alone ( P < 0.05). Exercise also reduced phosphorylation of the catalytic epsilon subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2Bε, Ser540; P < 0.05). Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR, Ser2448), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β, Ser9), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK, Tyr576/577) phosphorylation were unaffected by either feeding or resistance exercise (all P > 0.14). In summary, feeding resulted in phosphorylation of Akt, while resistance exercise stimulated phosphorylation of Akt, p70S6K1, rpS6, and dephosphorylation eIF2Bε with a synergistic effect of feeding and exercise on p70S6K1 and its downstream target rpS6. We conclude that resistance exercise potentiates the effect of feeding on the phosphorylation and presumably activation of critical proteins involved in the regulation of muscle protein synthesis in young men.

Nutritional interventions to promote post-exercise muscle protein synthesis

Resistance exercise is a powerful stimulus to augment muscle protein anabolism, as it can improve the balance between muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. However, the intake of food during post-exercise recovery is necessary for hypertrophy to occur. Therefore, athletes need to ingest protein following exercise to attain a positive protein balance and maximise their skeletal muscle adaptive response. The interaction between exercise and nutrition is not only important for athletes, but is also of important clinical relevance in the elderly. Exercise interventions combined with specific nutritional modulation provide an effective strategy to counteract or reduce the loss of skeletal muscle mass with aging.

The molecular bases of training adaptation

Skeletal muscle is a malleable tissue capable of altering the type and amount of protein in response to disruptions to cellular homeostasis. The process of exercise-induced adaptation in skeletal muscle involves a multitude of signalling mechanisms initiating replication of specific DNA genetic sequences, enabling subsequent translation of the genetic message and ultimately generating a series of amino acids that form new proteins. The functional consequences of these adaptations are determined by training volume, intensity and frequency, and the half-life of the protein. Moreover, many features of the training adaptation are specific to the type of stimulus, such as the mode of exercise. Prolonged endurance training elicits a variety of metabolic and morphological changes, including mitochondrial biogenesis, fast-to-slow fibre-type transformation and substrate metabolism. In contrast, heavy resistance exercise stimulates synthesis of contractile proteins responsible for muscle hypertrophy and increases in maximal contractile force output. Concomitant with the vastly different functional outcomes induced by these diverse exercise modes, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of adaptation are distinct. With recent advances in technology, it is now possible to study the effects of various training interventions on a variety of signalling proteins and early-response genes in skeletal muscle. Although it cannot presently be claimed that such scientific endeavours have influenced the training practices of elite athletes, these new and exciting technologies have provided insight into how current training techniques result in specific muscular adaptations, and may ultimately provide clues for future and novel training methodologies. Greater knowledge of the mechanisms and interaction of exercise-induced adaptive pathways in skeletal muscle is important for our understanding of the aetiology of disease, maintenance of metabolic and functional capacity with aging, and training for athletic performance. This article highlights the effects of exercise on molecular and genetic mechanisms of training adaptation in skeletal muscle.

The molecular bases of training adaptation

Skeletal muscle is a malleable tissue capable of altering the type and amount of protein in response to disruptions to cellular homeostasis. The process of exercise-induced adaptation in skeletal muscle involves a multitude of signalling mechanisms initiating replication of specific DNA genetic sequences, enabling subsequent translation of the genetic message and ultimately generating a series of amino acids that form new proteins. The functional consequences of these adaptations are determined by training volume, intensity and frequency, and the half-life of the protein. Moreover, many features of the training adaptation are specific to the type of stimulus, such as the mode of exercise. Prolonged endurance training elicits a variety of metabolic and morphological changes, including mitochondrial biogenesis, fast-to-slow fibre-type transformation and substrate metabolism. In contrast, heavy resistance exercise stimulates synthesis of contractile proteins responsible for muscle hypertrophy and increases in maximal contractile force output. Concomitant with the vastly different functional outcomes induced by these diverse exercise modes, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of adaptation are distinct. With recent advances in technology, it is now possible to study the effects of various training interventions on a variety of signalling proteins and early-response genes in skeletal muscle. Although it cannot presently be claimed that such scientific endeavours have influenced the training practices of elite athletes, these new and exciting technologies have provided insight into how current training techniques result in specific muscular adaptations, and may ultimately provide clues for future and novel training methodologies. Greater knowledge of the mechanisms and interaction of exercise-induced adaptive pathways in skeletal muscle is important for our understanding of the aetiology of disease, maintenance of metabolic and functional capacity with aging, and training for athletic performance. This article highlights the effects of exercise on molecular and genetic mechanisms of training adaptation in skeletal muscle.

Insulin-facilitated increase of muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise involves a MAP kinase pathway

Recent studies have implicated the mTOR-signaling pathway as a primary component for muscle growth in mammals. The purpose of this investigation was to examine signaling pathways for muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats (male, 6 mo old) were assigned to either resistance exercise or control groups. Resistance exercise was accomplished in operantly conditioned animals using a specially designed flywheel apparatus. Rats performed two sessions of resistance exercise, separated by 48 h, each consisting of 2 sets of 25 repetitions. Sixteen hours after the second session, animals were killed, and soleus muscles were examined for rates of protein synthesis with and without insulin and/or rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) and/or PD-098059 (PD; MEK kinase inhibitor). Results of this study demonstrated that rates of synthesis were higher (P < 0.05) with insulin after exercise compared with without insulin, or to control muscles, regardless of insulin. Rapamycin lowered (P < 0.05) rates of synthesis in controls, with or without insulin, and after exercise without insulin. However, insulin was able to overcome the inhibition of rapamycin after exercise (P < 0.05). PD had no effect on protein synthesis in control rats, but the addition of PD to exercised muscle resulted in lower (P < 0.05) rates of synthesis, and this inhibition was not rescued by insulin. Western blot analyses demonstrated that the inhibitors used in the present study were selective and effective for preventing activation of specific signaling proteins. Together, these results suggest that the insulin-facilitated increase of muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise requires multiple signaling pathways.

Branched-chain amino acids activate key enzymes in protein synthesis after physical exercise

BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), particularly leucine, have anabolic effects on protein metabolism by increasing the rate of protein synthesis and decreasing the rate of protein degradation in resting human muscle. Also, during recovery from endurance exercise, BCAAs were found to have anabolic effects in human muscle. These effects are likely to be mediated through changes in signaling pathways controlling protein synthesis. This involves phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and sequential activation of 70-kD S6 protein kinase (p70 S6 kinase) and the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1. Activation of p70 S6 kinase, and subsequent phopsphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6, is associated with enhanced translation of specific mRNAs. When BCAAs were supplied to subjects during and after one session of quadriceps muscle resistance exercise, an increase in mTOR, p70 S6 kinase, and S6 phosphorylation was found in the recovery period after the exercise with no effect of BCAAs on Akt or glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) phosphorylation. Exercise without BCAA intake led to a partial phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase without activating the enzyme, a decrease in Akt phosphorylation, and no change in GSK-3. It has previously been shown that leucine infusion increases p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation in an Akt-independent manner in resting subjects; however, a relation between mTOR and p70 S6 kinase has not been reported previously. The results suggest that BCAAs activate mTOR and p70 S6 kinase in human muscle in the recovery period after exercise and that GSK-3 is not involved in the anabolic action of BCAAs on human muscle.

Fasted-state skeletal muscle protein synthesis after resistance exercise is altered with training

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine how fasted-state protein synthesis was affected, acutely, by resistance training. Eight men (24.8+/-1.7 years, body mass index=23.2+/-1.0 kg m-2; means+/-s.e.m.) undertook an 8 week programme of unilateral resistance exercise training (3 sessions week-1, progression from two to four sets; intensity was 80% of the subjects' single repetition maximum (1RM): knee extension and leg press). Following training, subjects underwent two primed constant infusions of l-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine to determine mixed and myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis (MPS) at rest and 12 h after an acute bout of resistance exercise at the same exercise intensity--each leg 80% of 1RM. Biopsies (vastus lateralis) were taken to measure incorporation of labelled phenylalanine into mixed and myofibrillar skeletal muscle proteins and yield fractional MPS. Training resulted in significant dynamic strength gains that were greater (P<0.001) in the trained leg. Hypertrophy of type IIa and IIx fibres (P<0.05) was observed following training. After training, resting mixed MPS rate was elevated (+48%; P<0.05). Acutely, resistance exercise stimulated mixed MPS only in the untrained leg (P<0.05). Myofibrillar MPS was unchanged at rest following training (P=0.61). Myofibrillar MPS increased after resistance exercise (P<0.05), but was not different between the trained and untrained legs (P=0.36). We observed divergent changes in resting mixed versus myofibrillar protein synthesis with training. In addition, resistance training modified the acute response of MPS to resistance exercise by dampening the increased synthesis of non-myofibrillar proteins while maintaining the synthesis of myofibrillar proteins.

Resistance exercise increases muscle protein synthesis and translation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2Bepsilon mRNA in a mammalian target of rapamycin-dependent manner

The contribution of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling to the resistance exercise-induced stimulation of skeletal muscle protein synthesis was assessed by administering rapamycin to Sprague-Dawley rats 2 h prior to a bout of resistance exercise. Animals were sacrificed 16 h postexercise, and gastrocnemius protein synthesis, mTOR signaling, and biomarkers of translation initiation were assessed. Exercise stimulated the rate of protein synthesis; however, this effect was prevented by pretreatment with rapamycin. The stimulation of protein synthesis was mediated by an increase in translation initiation, since exercise caused an increase in polysome aggregation that was abrogated by rapamycin administration. Taken together, the data suggest that the effect of rapamycin was not mediated by reduced phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 1 (BP1), because exercise did not cause a significant change in 4E-BP1(Thr-70) phosphorylation, 4E-BP1-eIF4E association, or eIF4F complex assembly concomitant with increased protein synthetic rates. Alternatively, there was a rapamycin-sensitive decrease in relative eIF2Bepsilon(Ser-535) phosphorylation that was explained by a significant increase in the expression of eIF2Bepsilon protein. The proportion of eIF2Bepsilon mRNA in polysomes was increased following exercise, an effect that was prevented by rapamycin treatment, suggesting that the increase in eIF2Bepsilon protein expression was mediated by an mTOR-dependent increase in translation of the mRNA encoding the protein. The increase in eIF2Bepsilon mRNA translation and protein abundance occurred independent of similar changes in other eIF2B subunits. These data suggest a novel link between mTOR signaling and eIF2Bepsilon mRNA translation that could contribute to the stimulation of protein synthesis following acute resistance exercise.

Immediate response of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated signalling following acute resistance exercise in rat skeletal muscle

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-mediated signalling and some key regulatory proteins of translation initiation are altered in skeletal muscle during the immediate phase of recovery following acute resistance exercise. Rats were operantly conditioned to reach an illuminated bar located high on a Plexiglass cage, such that the animals completed concentric and eccentric contractions involving the hindlimb musculature. Gastrocnemius muscle was extracted immediately after acute exercise and 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 min of recovery. Phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) on Ser-473 peaked at 10 min of recovery (282% of control, P < 0.05) with no significant changes noted for mTOR phosphorylation on Ser-2448. Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding protein-1 (4E-BP1) and S6 kinase-1 (S6K1), both downstream effectors of mTOR, were altered during recovery as well. 4E-BP1 phosphorylation was significantly elevated at 10 min (292%, P < 0.01) of recovery. S6K1 phosphorylation on Thr-389 demonstrated a trend for peak activation at 10 min following exercise (336%, P = 0.06) with ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation being maximally activated at 15 min of recovery (647%, P < 0.05). Components of the eIF4F complex were enhanced during recovery as eIF4E association with eIF4G peaked at 10 min (292%, P < 0.05). Events regulating the binding of initiator methionyl-tRNA to the 40S ribosomal subunit were assessed through eIF2B activity and eIF2 alpha phosphorylation on Ser-51. No differences were noted with either eIF2B or eIF2 alpha. Collectively, these results provide strong evidence that mTOR-mediating signalling is transiently upregulated during the immediate period following resistance exercise and this response may constitute the most proximal growth response of the cell.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation: effects of age and acute exercise on human skeletal muscle

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the activation (phosphorylation) and total protein content of MAPK signalling cascade proteins (ERK 1/2, p90RSK, Mnk 1, eIF4E, p38 MAPK, JNK/SAPK, MKP 1) at rest and following exercise, in sedentary young and old men. Eight young (22 +/- 1 years; YM) and eight old (79 +/- 3 years; OM) men underwent a resting muscle biopsy of the vastus lateralis; they then performed a knee extensor resistance exercise session (29 contractions at approximately 70 % of max), followed by a post-exercise biopsy. Western immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the OM had higher resting phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, p90RSK, Mnk 1, p38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK proteins versus YM (P < 0.05). The resistance exercise bout caused an increase in phosphorylation of the ERK 1/2, p90RSK and Mnk 1 proteins (P < 0.05) in the YM. Conversely, the OM had a decrease in ERK 1/2, p90RSK, Mnk 1, p38 MAPK and JNK/SAPK phosphorylation (P < 0.05) after the exercise bout. Neither group showed a change in eIF4E phosphorylation. The total amount of protein expression of the MAPK signalling proteins was not different between the YM and OM, except that there was a higher (P < 0.05) MKP 1 protein content in the OM. This investigation is the first to provide evidence that MAPK proteins are differentially activated at rest and in response to a bout of resistance exercise in skeletal muscle of young and old men. These findings may have implications for other processes (e.g. transcription and translation) involved in skeletal muscle type and growth, when examining the changes occurring with ageing muscle before and after resistance exercise/training.

When translation meets metabolism: multiple links to diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a polygenic disorder characterized by multiple biochemical defects including transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational abnormalities. Although major progress has been made in elucidation of factors at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels, defects at the translational level remain elusive. Mutation of a kinase that regulates translation initiation has been implicated in the etiology of a monogenic form of diabetes known as Wolcott-Rallison syndrome. Characterization of mice rendered deficient in eukaryotic initiation factors has provided model systems to study the involvement of translation in regulating insulin synthesis and secretion, hepatic function, peripheral insulin resistance, and diabetic complications. Recent progress in the understanding of endoplasmic reticulum overload by unfolded proteins has begun to uncover mechanisms leading to pancreatic beta-cell exhaustion. Future advances in this area may lead to identification of the missing links in the pathogenesis of beta-cell failures due to conditions such as hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and long-term treatment with sulfonylureas, and thus may identify novel therapeutic targets for diabetes.

Cellular and molecular responses to increased skeletal muscle loading after irradiation

Irradiation of rat skeletal muscles before increased loading has been shown to prevent compensatory hypertrophy for periods of up to 4 wk, possibly by preventing satellite cells from proliferating and providing new myonuclei. Recent work suggested that stem cell populations exist that might allow irradiated muscles to eventually hypertrophy over time. We report that irradiation essentially prevented hypertrophy in rat muscles subjected to 3 mo of functional overload (OL-Ir). The time course and magnitude of changes in cellular and molecular markers of anabolic and myogenic responses were similar in the OL-Ir and the contralateral nonirradiated, overloaded (OL) muscles for the first 3-7 days. These markers then returned to control levels in OL-Ir muscles while remaining elevated in OL muscles. The number of myonuclei and amount of DNA were increased markedly in OL but not OL-Ir muscles. Thus it appears that stem cells were not added to the irradiated muscles in this time period. These data are consistent with the theory that the addition of new myonuclei may be required for compensatory hypertrophy in the rat.

Invited Review: Role of insulin in translational control of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle by amino acids or exercise

Protein synthesis in skeletal muscle is modulated in response to a variety of stimuli. Two stimuli receiving a great deal of recent attention are increased amino acid availability and exercise. Both of these effectors stimulate protein synthesis in part through activation of translation initiation. However, the full response of translation initiation and protein synthesis to either effector is not observed in the absence of a minimal concentration of insulin. The combination of insulin and either increased amino acid availability or endurance exercise stimulates translation initiation and protein synthesis in part through activation of the ribosomal protein S6 protein kinase S6K1 as well as through enhanced association of eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4G with eIF4E, an event that promotes binding of mRNA to the ribosome. In contrast, insulin in combination with resistance exercise stimulates translation initiation and protein synthesis through enhanced activity of a guanine nucleotide exchange protein referred to as eIF2B. In both cases, the amount of insulin required for the effects is low, and a concentration of the hormone that approximates that observed in fasting animals is sufficient for maximal stimulation. This review summarizes the results of a number of recent studies that have helped to establish our present understanding of the interactions of insulin, amino acids, and exercise in the regulation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle.

Modifications of eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) in adult cardiocytes by adenoviral gene transfer: differential effects on eIF4F activity and total protein synthesis rates

In adult feline cardiocytes, increases in eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F) activity are correlated with accelerated rates of total protein synthesis produced in response to increased load. Adenoviral gene transfer was employed to increase either eIF4F complex formation or the phosphorylation of eIF4E on Ser-209. To simulate load,cardiocytes were electrically stimulated to contract (2 Hz,5 ms pulses). Non-stimulated cardiocytes were used as controls.Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of wild-type eIF4E increased the total eIF4E pool by 120-140% above endogenous levels after 24 h and produced a corresponding increase in eIF4F content.However, it did not accelerate total protein synthesis rates inquiescent cardiocytes; neither did it potentiate the increase produced by contraction. To modify the affinity of eIF4F, cardiocytes were infected with a mutant (eIF4E/W56F) with a decreased binding affinity for the mRNA cap. Overexpression of eIF4E/W56F increased the quantity of eIF4F but the rate of total protein synthesis was decreased inquiescent and contracting cardiocytes. Overexpression of a mutant that blocked eIF4E phosphorylation (eIF4E/S209A) increased the quantity ofeIF4F without any significant effect on total protein synthesis rates in quiescent or contracting cardiocytes. Overexpression of the eIF4Ekinase Mnk-1 increased eIF4E phosphorylation without a corresponding increase in eIF4F complex formation or in the rate of total protein synthesis. We conclude the following: (1) eIF4F assembly is increased by raising eIF4E levels via adenoviral gene transfer; (2) the capbinding affinity of eIF4F is a rate-limiting determinant for total protein synthesis rates; and (3) increases in the quantity of eIF4Falone or in eIF4E phosphorylation are not sufficient to accelerate total protein synthesis rates.

Severe diabetes inhibits resistance exercise-induced increase in eukaryotic initiation factor 2B activity

Rates of protein synthesis are reduced in severely diabetic rats. A potential mechanism through which insulin can stimulate protein synthesis is modulation of the activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (eIF2B). The activity of this factor is elevated after exercise in nondiabetic rats but is markedly lower in skeletal muscle from nonexercised severely diabetic rats. We tested the hypothesis that a failure to increase eIF2B activity after exercise is one potential reason for a failure of severely diabetic rats to increase rates of protein synthesis after resistance exercise. Diabetic (partial pancreatectomy, plasma glucose >475 mg/dl) and nondiabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats (approximately 300 g) performed acute moderate-intensity resistance exercise or remained sedentary. Rates of protein synthesis were higher in nondiabetic rats and increased significantly with exercise, while no elevation was found in severely diabetic rats. The activity of eIF2B was higher (P < 0.05) in exercised nondiabetic than in sedentary nondiabetic rats (0.096 +/- 0.016 and 0.064 +/- 0.02 pmol GDP exchanged/min, respectively), but no difference was observed between sedentary and exercised diabetic rats (0.037 +/- 0.001 and 0.044 +/- 0.008 pmol GDP exchanged/min, respectively), and these activities were lower (P < 0.05) than in nondiabetic animals. These data suggest that severe hypoinsulinemia is associated with an inability to increase eIF2B activity in response to exercise.

The utility of resistance exercise training and amino acid supplementation for reversing age-associated decrements in muscle protein mass and function

Advancing age is associated with reduced skeletal muscle protein synthesis, altered expression of and chemical modifications to muscle proteins, reduced muscle strength, muscle strength per unit muscle mass and muscle power (sarcopenia). These age-associated impairments in the quantity and quality of contractile protein contribute to physical disability and frailty, a loss of independent function, the risk of falling and fractures, and escalating health-care costs. Progressive resistance exercise training is a potent, non-pharmacologic, efficacious therapy for the impairment in muscle quantity and quality in middle age and physically frail adults. Evidence is accumulating that dietary amino acid supplementation may also improve muscle protein balance in the elderly. Several potential cellular mechanisms for the loss of muscle protein and resistance exercise-induced improvements in muscle quantity and quality in elderly adults are reviewed.