FEATURES OF miRNA ASSOCIATIONS WITH mRNA OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION CANDIDATE GENES

Cardiovascular diseases, in particular myocardial infarction, are one of the most common causes of death in the world. To date, the risk assessment strategy infarction and post-infarction complications represent a significant problem sensitivity and predictive value of modern methods and markers, so the identification of new genetic markers is an actual problem. In this research, functionally significant candidate genes were studied, which are involved in the processes associated with the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction, in lipid metabolism, thrombus formation, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammatory reactions. However, in addition to genes, it has been determined that miRNA is also involved in the development of myocardial infarction by regulating the expression of target genes. This paper presents characteristics of miRNA interactions with mRNAs of candidate myocardial infarction genes. We have identified 34, 51 and 36 target genes that have miRNA binding sites in the 5'UTR, CDS, and 3'UTR regions, respectively. Based on the criteria chosen in our study, candidate genes were identified that have a free energy of interaction with miRNA equal to -120 kJ/mole and higher in the following associations: in 5’UTR - ID02142.3p-miR and ALDH2; ID00909.3p-miR and ALOX5; ID00216.3p-miR and CD40; ID01272.3p-miR and DDAH2; ID01774.5p-miR and IL6R; miR-6752-5p and KLF4; ID03332.3p-miR and LAMA3; ID02363.5p-miR and NOS3; ID02800.3p-miR and OPA1; ID01310.3p-miR and PDE4D; ID03397.3p-miR and PTGS2; ID01098.3p-miR and SERPINE1; ID01018.3p-miR and SGPP1; ID02430.3p-miR and SHH; ID01652.3p-miR and THBS1; ID01770.3p-miR and ZNF202; in CDS - ID00457.3p-miR and APOA1; ID00425.5p-miR and BTN2A1; ID01632.5p- miR and CCL5; ID02899.3p-miR and CDKN2B; miR-6894-5p and CYP1A2; ID01806.3p-miR and IL6R; ID01403.5p-miR and PLAUR; ID02950.3p-miR and SEMA3F; ID03332.3p-miR and SGPP1; ID02062.3p-miR and SIRT6; ID02050.3p-miR and TNF; ID01804.3p-miR and XBP1; ID00182.5p-miR and ZNF202; in 3’UTR - ID01293.5p-miR and SMTN; ID01882.5p-miR and TNNI3. The identified associations can be used as genetic markers in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

CHARACTERISTICS OF miRNA INTERACTION WITH mRNA OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE CANDIDATE GENES

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the most serious cardiovascular disease and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. An important role in the pathophysiology of IHD play such processes as the processes of inflammation and immune response, metabolism of homocysteine and folate, development processes of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress and homeostasis system. Accordingly, the identified genes that are directly involved in these processes. In addition, miRNA (mRNA-inhibiting RNA) may affect the expression of these candidate genes. Using bioinformatics methods, the most efficient associations of miRNA and target genes were established. This research presents the characteristics of miRNA interactions with mRNA of candidate IHD genes. Candidate genes were identified that had a free energy of interaction with miRNA equal to -120 kJ / mole and higher in the following interactions: in 5’UTR - ALDH2 and ID02142.3p-miR; CELSR2 and ID00457.3p-miR; DDAH2 and ID01272.3p-miR; DNMT1 and ID02052.5p-miR; DOCK7 and ID00061.3p-miR; EGFR and ID02457.3p-miR; FOLH1 and ID01428.3p-miR; IL6R and miR-6089; NOS3 and ID02363.5p-miR; NPC1 and ID00551.3p-miR; PPP1R17 and ID01693.5p-miR; PRKCH and ID00520.5p-miR; SERPINE1 and ID01098.3p-miR; in CDS - ABCG8 and ID03064.3p-miR; ADORA2A and ID02697.3p-miR; APOA1 and ID00457.3p-miR; CDKN2B and ID02899.3p-miR; IL6R and ID01806.3p-miR; TIMP2 and ID00098.5p-miR; TNF and ID02050.3p-miR; TRIB1 and ID03208.5p-miR; VWF and ID01238.5p-miR. Associations were also revealed in the 3'UTR region with an interaction free energy of -115 kJ/mole and higher: AGTR2 and ID01213.5p-miR; APLNR and ID00616.5p-miR; CXCL12 and ID00483.3p-miR; FADS2 and miR-1224-3p; FCGR2A and miR-1273g-3p; GCKR and ID02928.3p-miR; IL6R and ID00913.5p-miR; KCNJ11 and ID03288.5p-miR; PPP1R3B and ID00913.5p-miR; TFPI and miR-1273g-3p; TIMP2 and ID01941.5p-miR. The results obtained could be used as molecular genetic markers of IHD for the diagnosis of this disease.

[The Interaction of miRNA-5p and miRNA-3p with the mRNAs of Orthologous Genes]

miRNAs regulate the expression of many genes and are involved in the development of diseases. We studied miRNAs that interact partly or fully complementarily with the 5'UTR, CDS and 3'UTR of mRNAs of target genes. The MirTarget program used in this study allows for the discovery of miRNA binding sites (BS) in the entire nucleotide sequence of the mRNA and for determining the characteristics of the interactions of miRNAs with mRNAs. We identified five pairs of fully complementary BS for miR-127-5p and miR-127-3p, miR-136-5p and miR-136-3p, miR-431-5p and miR-431-3p, miR-432-5p and miR-432-3p, and miR-433-5p and miR-433-3p in the CDS of the human and animal mRNA of RTL1 gene. The fully complementary BS for miR-6720-5p, miR-6720-3p were identified in the CDS of the FOXF2 gene; BS for miR-3187-5p, miR-3187-3p were found in the CDS of the PLPPR3 gene; BS for miR-4665-5p, miR-4665-3p were found in the 5'UTR of the KIAA2026 gene; BS for miR-135a-5p, miR-135a-3p were found in the 3'UTR of the GLYCTK gene; BS for miR-7106-5p, miR-7106-3p were found in the 3'UTR of the CCDC42B gene. The miRNA-5p and miRNA-3p associated with the RTL1 gene have BS in the mRNAs of 32 target human genes. The miRNA-5p and miRNA-3p associated with the FOXF2, PLPPR3, KIAA2026, GLYCTK and CCDC42B genes have BS in the mRNAs of 27 target genes, involved in development of several diseases. Nucleotide sequences of miRNA-5p and miRNA-3p and BS are conserved over tens of millions of years of divergence of the studied animal species. Binding characteristics of miR-3120-3p and miR-3120-5p, miR-196b-3p and miR-196b-5p, miR-125a-3p and miR-125a-3p, let-7e-3p and let-7e-5p, miR-99b-3p in fully complementary BS of non-coding DMN3OS, HOXA10-AS, SPACA6P-AS genes have been established.

The E3 ligase MuRF2 plays a key role in the functional capacity of skeletal muscle fibroblasts

Fibroblasts are a highly heterogeneous population of cells, being found in a large number of different tissues. These cells produce the extracellular matrix, which is essential to preserve structural integrity of connective tissues. Fibroblasts are frequently engaged in migration and remodeling, exerting traction forces in the extracellular matrix, which is crucial for matrix deposition and wound healing. In addition, previous studies performed on primary myoblasts suggest that the E3 ligase MuRF2 might function as a cytoskeleton adaptor. Here, we hypothesized that MuRF2 also plays a functional role in skeletal muscle fibroblasts. We found that skeletal muscle fibroblasts express MuRF2 and its siRNA knock-down promoted decreased fibroblast migration, cell border accumulation of polymerized actin, and down-regulation of the phospho-Akt expression. Our results indicated that MuRF2 was necessary to maintain the actin cytoskeleton functionality in skeletal muscle fibroblasts via Akt activity and exerted an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling in the skeletal muscle tissue.

Titin antibodies in "seronegative" myasthenia gravis--A new role for an old antigen

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies targeting the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscles. Triple-seronegative MG (tSN-MG, without detectable AChR, MuSK and LRP4 antibodies), which accounts for ~10% of MG patients, presents a serious gap in MG diagnosis and complicates differential diagnosis of similar disorders. Several AChR antibody positive patients (AChR-MG) also have antibodies against titin, usually detected by ELISA. We have developed a very sensitive radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) for titin antibodies, by which many previously negative samples were found positive, including several from tSN-MG patients. The validity of the RIPA results was confirmed by western blots. Using this RIPA we screened 667 MG sera from 13 countries; as expected, AChR-MG patients had the highest frequency of titin antibodies (40.9%), while MuSK-MG and LRP4-MG patients were positive in 14.6% and 16.4% respectively. Most importantly, 13.4% (50/372) of the tSN-MG patients were also titin antibody positive. None of the 121 healthy controls or the 90 myopathy patients, and only 3.6% (7/193) of other neurological disease patients were positive. We thus propose that the present titin antibody RIPA is a useful tool for serological MG diagnosis of tSN patients.

In vivo and in vitro investigations of heterozygous nebulin knock-out mice disclose a mild skeletal muscle phenotype

Nemaline myopathy is the most common congenital skeletal muscle disease, and mutations in the nebulin gene account for 50% of all cases. Recent studies suggest that the disease severity might be related to the nebulin expression levels. Considering that mutations in the nebulin gene are typically recessive, one would expect that a single functional nebulin allele would maintain nebulin protein expression which would result in preserved skeletal muscle function. We investigated skeletal muscle function of heterozygous nebulin knock-out (i.e., nebulin(+/-)) mice using a multidisciplinary approach including protein and gene expression analysis and combined in vivo and in vitro force measurements. Skeletal muscle anatomy and energy metabolism were studied strictly non-invasively using magnetic resonance imaging and 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Maximal force production was reduced by around 16% in isolated muscle of nebulin(+/-) mice while in vivo force generating capacity was preserved. Muscle weakness was associated with a shift toward a slower proteomic phenotype, but was not related to nebulin protein deficiency or to an impaired energy metabolism. Further studies would be warranted in order to determine the mechanisms leading to a mild skeletal muscle phenotype resulting from the expression of a single nebulin allele.

Muscle atrophy in Titin M-line deficient mice

We investigated the response to deletion of the titin M-line region in striated muscle, using a titin knockout model and a range of techniques that include histology, in situ hybridization, electron microscopy, and 2D gel analysis. We found that the loss of titin's kinase domain and binding sites for myomesin and MURF-1 causes structural changes in the sarcomere that proceed from the M-line to the Z-disc and ultimately result in disassembly of the sarcomere. Disassembly goes along with central localization of nuclei (a hallmark for muscular dystrophy), up-regulation of heat-shock proteins, and induction of proteasome activity. While fiber type composition does not change in soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscle, fiber size is reduced. Animals die from complications of muscle atrophy at five weeks of age. In addition to the structural importance of the titin M-line region in any striated muscle, our data show how differences in M-line composition between heart and skeletal muscle affect sarcomere stability and function.

Molecular basis of passive stress relaxation in human soleus fibers: assessment of the role of immunoglobulin-like domain unfolding

Titin (also known as connectin) is the main determinant of physiological levels of passive muscle force. This force is generated by the extensible I-band region of the molecule, which is constructed of the PEVK domain and tandem-immunoglobulin segments comprising serially linked immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains. It is unresolved whether under physiological conditions Ig domains remain folded and act as "spacers" that set the sarcomere length at which the PEVK extends or whether they contribute to titin's extensibility by unfolding. Here we focused on whether Ig unfolding plays a prominent role in stress relaxation (decay of force at constant length after stretch) using mechanical and immunolabeling studies on relaxed human soleus muscle fibers and Monte Carlo simulations. Simulation experiments using Ig-domain unfolding parameters obtained in earlier single-molecule atomic force microscopy experiments recover the phenomenology of stress relaxation and predict large-scale unfolding in titin during an extended period (> approximately 20 min) of relaxation. By contrast, immunolabeling experiments failed to demonstrate large-scale unfolding. Thus, under physiological conditions in relaxed human soleus fibers, Ig domains are more stable than predicted by atomic force microscopy experiments. Ig-domain unfolding did not become more pronounced after gelsolin treatment, suggesting that the thin filament is unlikely to significantly contribute to the mechanical stability of the domains. We conclude that in human soleus fibers, Ig unfolding cannot solely explain stress relaxation.

Protein kinase A phosphorylates titin's cardiac-specific N2B domain and reduces passive tension in rat cardiac myocytes

beta-Adrenergic stimulation of cardiac muscle activates protein kinase A (PKA), which is known to phosphorylate proteins on the thin and thick filaments of the sarcomere. Cardiac muscle sarcomeres contain a third filament system composed of titin, and here we demonstrate that titin is also phosphorylated by the beta-adrenergic pathway. Titin phosphorylation was observed after beta-receptor stimulation of intact cardiac myocytes and incubation of skinned cardiac myocytes with PKA. Mechanical experiments with isolated myocytes revealed that PKA significantly reduces passive tension. In vitro phosphorylation of recombinant titin fragments and immunoelectron microscopy suggest that PKA targets a subdomain of the elastic segment of titin, referred to as the N2B spring element. The N2B spring element is expressed only in cardiac titins, in which it plays an important role in determining the level of passive tension. Because titin-based passive tension is a determinant of diastolic function, these results suggest that titin phosphorylation may modulate cardiac function in vivo.

Lack of the C-terminal domain of nebulin in a patient with nemaline myopathy

The most common autosomal recessive form of nemaline myopathy is due to mutations in the nebulin gene. Among eight patients studied, we identified one, a 14-year-old girl, with a specific pattern of diffuse rods in muscle fibers. Western blot analysis detected absence of the C-terminal domain of nebulin. Protein analysis may represent a good screening method to direct molecular studies in the case of very large and complex genes such as the large 1298 kb nebulin gene.

The complete gene sequence of titin, expression of an unusual approximately 700-kDa titin isoform, and its interaction with obscurin identify a novel Z-line to I-band linking system

Titin is a giant vertebrate striated muscle protein with critical importance for myofibril elasticity and structural integrity. We show here that the complete sequence of the human titin gene contains 363 exons, which together code for 38 138 residues (4200 kDa). In its central I-band region, 47 novel PEVK exons were found, which contribute to titin's extensible spring properties. Additionally, 3 unique I-band titin exons were identified (named novex-1 to -3). Novex-3 functions as an alternative titin C-terminus. The novex-3 titin isoform is approximately 700 kDa in size and spans from Z1-Z2 (titin's N-terminus) to novex-3 (C-terminal exon). Novex-3 titin specifically interacts with obscurin, a 721-kDa myofibrillar protein composed of 57 Ig/FN3 domains, followed by one IQ, SH3, DH, and a PH domain at its C-terminus. The obscurin domains Ig48/Ig49 bind to novex-3 titin and target to the Z-line region when expressed as a GFP fusion protein in live cardiac myocytes. Immunoelectron microscopy detected the C-terminal Ig48/Ig49 obscurin epitope near the Z-line edge. The distance from the Z-line varied with sarcomere length, suggesting that the novex-3 titin/obscurin complex forms an elastic Z-disc to I-band linking system. This system could link together calcium-dependent, SH3-, and GTPase-regulated signaling pathways in close proximity to the Z-disc, a structure increasingly implicated in the restructuring of sarcomeres during cardiomyopathies.

Specific interaction of the potassium channel beta-subunit minK with the sarcomeric protein T-cap suggests a T-tubule-myofibril linking system

Ion-channel beta-subunits are ancillary proteins that co-assemble with alpha-subunits to modulate gating kinetics and enhance stability of multimeric channel complexes. They provide binding sites for other regulatory proteins and are medically important as the targets of many pharmacological compounds. MinK is the beta-subunit of the slow activating component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Ks)) channel, and associates with the alpha-subunit, KvLQT1. We report here that minK specifically interacts with the sarcomeric Z-line component, T-cap (also called telethonin). In vitro interaction studies indicated that the cytoplasmic domain of minK specifically binds to the sixteen C-terminal residues of T-cap; these residues are sufficient for its interaction with minK. Consistent with our in vitro studies, immunofluorescence staining followed by confocal analysis revealed that both minK and T-cap are localized within the Z-line region in cardiac muscle. Striated staining of minK was observed in non-washed, membrane-intact cardiac myofibrils, but not in well-washed, membrane-removed cardiac myofibrils, suggesting that minK localizes on T-tubular membranes surrounding the Z-line in the inner ventricular myocardium. Together with our previous data on the colocalization and interaction of T-cap with the N-terminus of the giant protein titin in the periphery of the Z-line, these data suggest that T-cap functions as an adapter protein to link together myofibrillar components with the membranous beta-subunit of the I(Ks) channel. We speculate that this interaction may contribute to a stretch-dependent regulation of potassium flux in cardiac muscle, providing a "mechano-electrical feedback" system.

Structural and functional studies of titin's fn3 modules reveal conserved surface patterns and binding to myosin S1--a possible role in the Frank-Starling mechanism of the heart

The A-band part of titin, a striated-muscle specific protein spanning from the Z-line to the M-line, mainly consists of a well-ordered super-repeat array of immunoglobulin-like and fibronectin-type III (fn3)-like domains. Since it has been suspected that the fn3 domains might represent titin's binding sites to myosin, we have developed structural models for all of titin's 132 fn3-like domains. A subset of eight experimentally determined fn3 structures from a range of proteins, including titin itself, was used as homology templates. After grouping the models according to their position within the super-repeat segment of the central A-band titin region, we analyzed the models with respect to side-chain conservation. This showed that conserved residues form an extensive surface pattern predominantly at one side of the domains, whereas domains outside the central C-zone super-repeat region show generally less conserved surfaces. Since the conserved surface residues may function as protein-binding sites, we experimentally studied the binding properties of expressed multi-domain fn3 fragments. This revealed that fn3 fragments specifically bind to the sub-fragment 1 of myosin. We also measured the effect of fn3 fragments on the contractile properties of single cardiac myocytes. At sub-maximal Ca(2+) concentrations, fn3 fragments significantly enhance active tension. This effect is most pronounced at short sarcomere length, and as a result the length-dependence of Ca(2+) activation is reduced. A model of how titin's fn3-like domains may influence actomyosin interaction is proposed.

Titin-actin interaction in mouse myocardium: passive tension modulation and its regulation by calcium/S100A1

Passive tension in striated muscles derives primarily from the extension of the giant protein titin. However, several studies have suggested that, in cardiac muscle, interactions between titin and actin might also contribute to passive tension. We expressed recombinant fragments representing the subdomains of the extensible region of cardiac N2B titin (tandem-Ig segments, the N2B splice element, and the PEVK domain), and assayed them for binding to F-actin. The PEVK fragment bound F-actin, but no binding was detected for the other fragments. Comparison with a skeletal muscle PEVK fragment revealed that only the cardiac PEVK binds actin at physiological ionic strengths. The significance of PEVK-actin interaction was investigated using in vitro motility and single-myocyte mechanics. As F-actin slid relative to titin in the motility assay, a dynamic interaction between the PEVK domain and F-actin retarded filament sliding. Myocyte results suggest that a similar interaction makes a significant contribution to the passive tension. We also investigated the effect of calcium on PEVK-actin interaction. Although calcium alone had no effect, S100A1, a soluble calcium-binding protein found at high concentrations in the myocardium, inhibited PEVK-actin interaction in a calcium-dependent manner. Gel overlay analysis revealed that S100A1 bound the PEVK region in vitro in a calcium-dependent manner, and S100A1 binding was observed at several sites along titin's extensible region in situ, including the PEVK domain. In vitro motility results indicate that S100A1-PEVK interaction reduces the force that arises as F-actin slides relative to the PEVK domain, and we speculate that S100A1 may provide a mechanism to free the thin filament from titin and reduce titin-based tension before active contraction.

Cardiac titin isoforms are coexpressed in the half-sarcomere and extend independently

Titin, the third myofilament type of cardiac muscle, contains a molecular spring segment that gives rise to passive forces in stretched myocardium and to restoring forces in shortened myocardium. We studied cardiac titin isoforms (N2B and N2BA) that contain length variants of the molecular spring segment. We investigated how coexpression of isoforms takes place at the level of the half-sarcomere, and whether coexpression affects the extensibility of the isoforms. Immunoelectron microscopy was used to study local coexpression of isoforms in a range of species. It was found that the cardiac sarcomere of large mammals coexpresses N2B and N2BA titin isoforms at the level of the half-sarcomere, and that when coexpressed, the isoforms act independently of one another. Coexpressing isoforms at varying ratios results in modulation of the passive mechanical behavior of the sarcomere without impacting other functions of titin and allows for adjustment of the diastolic properties of the myocardium.

Secondary calpain3 deficiency in 2q-linked muscular dystrophy: titin is the candidate gene

BACKGROUND

Tibial muscular dystrophy (TMD), a late-onset dominant distal myopathy, is caused by yet unknown mutations on chromosome 2q, whereas MD with myositis (MDM) is a muscular dystrophy of the mouse, also progressing with age and linked to mouse chromosome 2. For both disorders, linkage studies have implicated titin as a potential candidate gene.

METHODS

The authors analyzed major candidate regions in the titin gene by sequencing and Southern blot hybridization, and performed titin immunohistochemistry on TMD patient material to identify the underlying mutation. Western blot studies were performed on the known titin ligands in muscle samples of both disorders and controls, and analysis of apoptosis was also performed.

RESULTS

The authors identified almost complete loss of calpain3, a ligand of titin, in the patient with limb-girdle MD (LGMD) with a homozygous state of TMD haplotype when primary calpain3 gene defect was excluded. Apoptotic myonuclei with altered distribution of transcription factor NF-kB and its inhibitor IkBalpha were encountered in muscle samples of patients with either heterozygous or homozygous TMD haplotype. Similar findings were confirmed in the MDM mouse.

CONCLUSIONS

These results imply that titin mutations may be responsible for TMD, and that the pathophysiologic pathway following calpain3 deficiency may overlap with LGMD2A. The loss of calpain3 could be a downstream effect of the deficient TMD gene product. The significance of the secondary calpain3 defect for the pathogenesis of TMD was emphasized by similar calpain3 deficiency in the MDM mouse, which is suggested to be a mouse model for TMD. Homozygous mutation at the 2q locus may thus be capable of producing yet another LGMD.

Identification of muscle specific ring finger proteins as potential regulators of the titin kinase domain

The giant myofibrillar protein titin contains within its C-terminal region a serine-threonine kinase of unknown function. We have identified a novel muscle specific RING finger protein, referred to as MURF-1, that binds in vitro to the titin repeats A168/A169 adjacent to the titin kinase domain. In myofibrils, MURF-1 is present within the periphery of the M-line lattice in close proximity to titin's catalytic kinase domain, within the Z-line lattice, and also in soluble form within the cytoplasm. Yeast two-hybrid screens with MURF-1 as a bait identified two other highly homologous MURF proteins, MURF-2 and MURF-3. MURF-1,2,3 proteins are encoded by distinct genes, share highly conserved N-terminal RING domains and in vitro form dimers/heterodimers by shared coiled-coil motifs. Of the MURF family, only MURF-1 interacts with titin repeats A168/A169, whereas MURF-3 has been reported to affect microtubule stability. Association of MURF-1 with M-line titin may potentially modulate titin's kinase activity similar to other known kinase-associated proteins, whereas differential expression and heterodimerization of MURF1, 2 and 3 may link together titin kinase and microtubule-dependent signal pathways in striated muscles.

Abnormalities in the expression of nebulin in chromosome-2 linked nemaline myopathy

Nemaline myopathy is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. The most common autosomal recessive form affecting infants (NEM2) links to chromosome 2q, and is caused by mutations in the gene for nebulin. We have examined the immunocytochemical expression of nebulin in skeletal muscle in 11 cases of nemaline myopathy, from ten families, with linkage compatible to chromosome 2q.22, the locus for nebulin. Mutations in the gene for nebulin have been found in eight of these cases. Immunolabelling with polyclonal antibodies to C-terminal regions of nebulin was compared with antibodies to fibre-type-specific myofibrillar proteins, including myosin heavy chain isoforms and alpha-actinin isoforms. No cases showed a complete absence of C-terminal nebulin, and no enhancement of labelling of the rods was seen with conventional fluorescence microscopy. In control muscle an antibody to the M176-181 repeat region of nebulin showed higher expression in fibres with slow myosin, while ones to the serine-rich domain and to the SH3 domain showed uniform expression. In some cases of nemaline myopathy differences in these patterns were observed. Two siblings with a homozygous mutation in exon 185, that produces a stop codon, showed an absence of labelling only with the SH3 antibody, and other cases showed uneven labelling with this antibody or some fibres devoid of label. Fibre type correlations also showed differences from controls, as some fibres had a fast isoform of one protein but a slow isoform of another. These results indicate that analysis of nebulin expression may detect abnormalities in some cases linked to the corresponding locus and may help to direct molecular analysis. In addition, they may also be relevant to studies of fibre type plasticity and diversity in nemaline myopathy.

Nebulin expression in patients with nemaline myopathy

Nemaline myopathy is a structural congenital myopathy which may show both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance patterns. Mutations in three different genes have been identified as the cause of nemaline myopathy: the gene for slow alpha-tropomyosin 3 (TPM3) at 1q22-23, the nebulin gene (NEB) at 2q21.1-q22, and the actin gene (ACTA1) at 1q42. The typical autosomal recessive form appears to be the most common one and is caused by mutations in the nebulin gene. We have studied the pattern of nebulin labeling, in patients with the typical congenital form (ten patients), the severe congenital form (two patients) or the mild, childhood-onset form (one patient), using antibodies against three different domains of nebulin. A qualitative and quantitative nebulin analysis in muscle tissue showed the presence of nebulin in myofibers from all patients. Some differences relating to the rod structure were observed. The majority of the largest subsarcolemmal rods were not labeled with the N2 nebulin antibody (I-band epitope) and showed an indistinct pattern with the two antibodies directed to the Z-band portion of nebulin (epitopes M176-181 and serine-rich domain). Diffuse rods were not revealed using the three antibodies. A discordant pattern of nebulin N2 epitope labeling was found in two affected sisters with a mutation in the nebulin gene, suggesting that modifications in nebulin distribution inside the rods might occur with the progression of the disease. Western blot analysis showed no direct correlation with immunofluorescence data. In nine patients, the band had a molecular weight comparable to the normal control, while in one patient, it was detected with a higher molecular weight. Our results suggest that presence/absence of specific nebulin Z-band epitopes in rod structures is variable and could depend on the degree of rod organization.

Probing the functional roles of titin ligands in cardiac myofibril assembly and maintenance

Sarcomeres of cardiac muscle are comprised of numerous proteins organized in an elegantly precise order. The exact mechanism of how these proteins are assembled into myofibrils during heart development is not yet understood, although existing in vitro and in vivo model systems have provided great insight into this complex process. It has been proposed by several groups that the giant elastic protein titin acts as a "molecular template" to orchestrate sarcomeric organization during myofibrillogenesis. Titin's highly modular structure, composed of both repeating and unique domains that interact with a wide spectrum of contractile and regulatory ligands, supports this hypothesis. Recent functional studies have provided clues to the physiological significance of the interaction of titin with several titin-binding proteins in the context of live cardiac cells. Improved models of cardiac myofibril assembly, along with the application of powerful functional studies in live cells, as well as the characterization of additional titin ligands, is likely to reveal surprising new functions for the titin third filament system.

Mechanical properties of titin isoforms

Titin is a giant filamentous polypeptide of multi-domain construction spanning between the Z- and M-lines of the sarcomere. As a result of differential splicing, length variants of titin are expressed in different skeletal and cardiac muscles. Here we first briefly review some of our previous work that has revealed that titin develops force in sarcomeres either stretched beyond their slack length (passive force) or shortened to below the slack length (restoring force) and that titin's force underlies a large fraction of the diastolic force of cardiac muscle. Next we present our mechanical and immunoelectron microscopical (IEM) studies of skeletal and cardiac muscles that express titin isoforms. The previously deduced molecular properties of titin were used to model titin's extensible region in the sarcomere as serially linked WLCs: rigid segments (containing folded Ig/Fn domains) and more flexible segments (PEVK segment). The model was tested on skeletal muscle fibers that express titin isoforms with tandem Ig and PEVK length variants. The model adequately predicts titin's behavior along a wide sarcomere length range in skeletal muscle, but at long sarcome lengths (SLs), predicted forces are much higher than those determined experimentally. IEM reveals that this may result from Ig domain unfolding. Experiments were also performed on cardiac myocytes from mouse and cow that express predominantly a small cardiac titin isoform (N2B titin) or a large isoform (N2BA titin), respectively. The passive tension-SL relation of myocytes was found to increase more steeply with SL in mouse than in cow. IEM revealed an additional source of extensibility within both of these cardiac titins: the unique N2B sequence (absent in skeletal muscle). Furthermore, the PEVK segment of the N2BA isoform extended to a maximal length of approximately 200 nm, as opposed to approximately 60 nm for the N2B isoform. We propose that, along the physiological SL range, the long PEVK segment found in N2BA titins results in a low PEVK fractional extension and that this underlies the lower passive tensions of N2BA-expressing cow myocytes.

Molecular tools for the study of titin's differential expression

Although vertebrate genomes appear to contain only one titin gene, a large variety of quite distinct titin isoforms are expressed in striated muscle tissues. The isoforms appear to be generated by a series of complex, not yet fully characterized differential splicing mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of the titin-specific antibodies that have been raised by our laboratory to study individual differentially expressed isoforms of titin. The staining patterns obtained in different tissues will contribute to the identification of both the particular titin isoforms that are expressed in the different tissues, as well as their intracellular distributions. In addition, antibodies to titin that are available are rapidly allowing for the refinement of our knowledge of titin's elastic spring properties. Knowledge of the nature and structure of vertebrate titins that may also be expressed in nonmuscle tissues may be broadened using these antibodies.

From connecting filaments to co-expression of titin isoforms

The molecular basis of elasticity in insect flight muscle has been analyzed using both the mechanism of extensibility of titin filaments (Trombitás et al., J. Cell Biol. 1998;140:853-859), and the sequence of projectin (Daley et al., J. Mol. Biol. 1998;279:201-210). Since a PEVK-like domain is not found in the projectin sequence, it is suggested that the sarcomere elongation causes the slightly "contracted" projectin extensible region to straighten without requiring Ig/Fn domain unfolding. Thus, the extensible region of the projectin may be viewed as a single entropic spring. The serially linked entropic spring model developed for skeletal muscle titin was applied to titin in the heart. The discovery of unique N2B sequence extension in physiological sarcomere length range (Helmes et al., Circ. Res. 1999;84:1339-1352) suggests that cardiac titin can be characterized as a serially linked three-spring system. Two different cardiac titin isoform (N2BA and N2B) co-exist in the heart. These isoforms can be differentiated by immunoelectron microscopy using antibody against sequences C-terminal of the unique N2B sequence, which is present in both isoforms. Immunolabeling experiments show that the two different isoform are co-expressed within the same sarcomere.

The N-terminal end of nebulin interacts with tropomodulin at the pointed ends of the thin filaments

Strict regulation of actin thin filament length is critical for the proper functioning of sarcomeres, the basic contractile units of myofibrils. It has been hypothesized that a molecular template works with actin filament capping proteins to regulate thin filament lengths. Nebulin is a giant protein ( approximately 800 kDa) in skeletal muscle that has been proposed to act as a molecular ruler to specify the thin filament lengths characteristic of different muscles. Tropomodulin (Tmod), a pointed end thin filament capping protein, has been shown to maintain the final length of the thin filaments. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that the N-terminal end of nebulin colocalizes with Tmod at the pointed ends of thin filaments. The three extreme N-terminal modules (M1-M2-M3) of nebulin bind specifically to Tmod as demonstrated by blot overlay, bead binding, and solid phase binding assays. These data demonstrate that the N terminus of the nebulin molecule extends to the extreme end of the thin filament and also establish a novel biochemical function for this end. Two Tmod isoforms, erythrocyte Tmod (E-Tmod), expressed in embryonic and slow skeletal muscle, and skeletal Tmod (Sk-Tmod), expressed late in fast skeletal muscle differentiation, bind on overlapping sites to recombinant N-terminal nebulin fragments. Sk-Tmod binds nebulin with higher affinity than E-Tmod does, suggesting that the Tmod/nebulin interaction exhibits isoform specificity. These data provide evidence that Tmod and nebulin may work together as a linked mechanism to control thin filament lengths in skeletal muscle.

Fluorescence quenching: A tool for single-molecule protein-folding study

By using titin as a model system, we have demonstrated that fluorescence quenching can be used to study protein folding at the single molecule level. The unfolded titin molecules with multiple dye molecules attached are able to fold to the native state. In the native folded state, the fluorescence from dye molecules is quenched due to the close proximity between the dye molecules. Unfolding of the titin leads to a dramatic increase in the fluorescence intensity. Such a change makes the folded and unfolded states of a single titin molecule clearly distinguishable and allows us to measure the folding dynamics of individual titin molecules in real time. We have also shown that fluorescence quenching can signal folding and unfolding of a small protein with only one immunoglobulin domain.

Changes in titin and collagen underlie diastolic stiffness diversity of cardiac muscle

Small (N2B) and large (N2BA) cardiac titin isoforms are differentially expressed in a species-specific and heart location-specific manner. To understand how differential expression of titin isoforms may influence passive stiffness of cardiac muscle we investigated the mechanical properties of mouse left ventricular (MLV) wall muscle (expressing predominantly the small titin isoform), bovine left atrial (BLA) wall muscle (predominantly the large isoform), and bovine left ventricular (BLV) wall muscle (expressing small and large isoforms at similar levels). Results indicate that the overall passive muscle stiffness of the muscle types varies nearly ten-fold, with stiffness increasing in the following order: BLA, BLV and MLV. To investigate the basis of the variation in the overall muscle stiffness, the contributions of titin and collagen to muscle stiffness were determined. Results showed that increased muscle stiffness results from increases in both titin- and collagen-based passive stiffness, indicating that titin and collagen change in a co-ordinated fashion. The expression level of the small titin isoform correlates with titin's contribution to overall muscle stiffness, suggesting that differential expression of titin isoforms is an effective means to modulate the filling behavior of the heart.

Extensibility of isoforms of cardiac titin: variation in contour length of molecular subsegments provides a basis for cellular passive stiffness diversity

Titin is a giant polypeptide that spans between the Z- and M-lines of the cardiac muscle sarcomere and that develops force when extended. This force arises from titin's extensible I-band region, which consists mainly of three segment types: serially linked immunoglobulin-like domains (Ig segments), interrupted by the PEVK segment, and the N2B unique sequence. Recently it was reported that the myocardium of large mammals co-expresses small (N2B) and large (N2BA) cardiac isoforms and that the passive stiffness of cardiac myocytes varies with the isoform expression ratio. To understand the molecular basis of the differences in passive stiffness we investigated titin's extensibility in bovine atrium, which expresses predominantly N2BA titin, and compared it to that of rat, which expresses predominantly N2B titin. Immunoelectron microscopy was used with antibodies that flank the Ig segments, the PEVK segment, and the unique sequence of the N2B element. The extension of the various segments was then determined as a function of sarcomere length (SL). When slack sarcomeres of bovine atrium were stretched, the PEVK segment extended much more steeply and the unique N2B sequence less steeply than in rat, while the Ig segments behaved similarly in both species. However, the extensions normalized with the segment's contour length (i.e., the fractional extensions) of Ig, PEVK, and unique sequence segments all increase less steeply with SL in cow than in rat. Considering that fractional extension determines the level of entropic force, these differences in fractional extension are expected to result in shallow and steep passive force-SL curves in myocytes that express high levels of N2BA and N2B titin, respectively. Thus, the findings provide a molecular basis for passive stiffness diversity.

Antisense oligonucleotide experiments elucidate the essential role of titin in sarcomerogenesis in adult rat cardiomyocytes in long-term culture

An essential role of titin as a molecular ruler in sarcomerogenesis has been frequently discussed. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the expression of titin is a prerequisite for thick filament incorporation into sarcomeres by using an antisense oligonucleotide approach to interfere with titin translation in the de-/redifferentiation model of adult rat cardiomyocytes (ARC) in long-term culture. As a first step, the growth pattern ranging from rod shape to round and later to spreading cells and the cell surface area of ARC were quantitatively evaluated and standardized. This represents the basis for experiments interfering with sarcomere formation using three different antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (S-ODN) at a dosage of 10 microM specific for titin mRNA. Presence of fluorescein labeled S-ODN in ARC indicated cellular uptake and both, antisense and random S-ODN, induced a significant increase in cell size as compared with control untreated ARC. At days 12 and 16 in culture, antisense S-ODN treatment resulted in reduced expression of titin and disturbance of myosin incorporation into sarcomeres, evident by diffuse myosin labeling and a significantly decreased area of regular myosin cross-striation (control 75%, day 12 S-ODN 20%, day 16 14%) shown by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Cellular integrity indicated by presence of alpha-actinin was not disturbed. These findings provide evidence for the role of titin as a template for myosin incorporation and therefore as a prerequisite for sarcomerogenesis.

Distinct families of Z-line targeting modules in the COOH-terminal region of nebulin

To learn how nebulin functions in the assembly and maintenance of I-Z-I bands, MYC- and GFP- tagged nebulin fragments were expressed in primary cultured skeletal myotubes. Their sites of incorporation were visualized by double staining with anti-MYC, antibodies to myofibrillar proteins, and FITC- or rhodamine phalloidin. Contrary to expectations based on in vitro binding studies, none of the nebulin fragments expressed in maturing myotubes were incorporated selectively into I-band approximately 1.0-micrometer F-alpha-actin-containing thin filaments. Four of the MYC/COOH-terminal nebulin fragments were incorporated exclusively into periodic approximately 0.1-micrometer Z-bands. Whereas both anti-MYC and Rho-phalloidin stained intra-Z-band F-alpha-actin oligomers, only the latter stained the pointed ends of the polarized approximately 1.0-micrometer thin filaments. Z-band incorporation was independent of the nebulin COOH-terminal Ser or SH3 domains. In vitro cosedimentation studies also demonstrated that nebulin SH3 fragments did not bind to F-alpha-actin or alpha-actinin. The remaining six fragments were not incorporated into Z-bands, but were incorporated (a) diffusely throughout the sarcoplasm and into (b) fibrils/patches of varying lengths and widths nested among normal striated myofibrils. Over time, presumably in response to the mediation of muscle-specific homeostatic controls, many of the ectopic MYC-positive structures were resorbed. None of the tagged nebulin fragments behaved as dominant negatives; they neither blocked the assembly nor induced the disassembly of mature striated myofibrils. Moreover, they were not cytotoxic in myotubes, as they were in the fibroblasts and presumptive myoblasts in the same cultures.

Series of exon-skipping events in the elastic spring region of titin as the structural basis for myofibrillar elastic diversity

Titins are megadalton-sized filamentous polypeptides of vertebrate striated muscle. The I-band region of titin underlies the myofibrillar passive tension response to stretch. Here, we show how titins with highly diverse I-band structures and elastic properties are expressed from a single gene. The differentially expressed tandem-Ig, PEVK, and N2B spring elements of titin are coded by 158 exons, which are contained within a 106-kb genomic segment and are all subject to tissue-specific skipping events. In ventricular heart muscle, exons 101 kb apart are joined, leading to the exclusion of 155 exons and the expression of a 2.97-MDa cardiac titin N2B isoform. The atria of mammalian hearts also express larger titins by the exclusion of 90 to 100 exons (cardiac N2BA titin with 3.3 MDa). In the soleus and psoas skeletal muscles, different exon-skipping pathways produce titin transcripts that code for 3.7- and 3.35-MDa titin isoforms, respectively. Mechanical and structural studies indicate that the exon-skipping pathways modulate the fractional extensions of the tandem Ig and PEVK segments, thereby influencing myofibrillar elasticity. Within the mammalian heart, expression of different levels of N2B and N2BA titins likely contributes to the elastic diversity of atrial and ventricular myofibrils.

Sequence and expression of the kettin gene in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans

Kettin is a large modular protein associated with thin filaments in the Z-disc region of insect muscles. The sequence of a 21.3 kb contig of the Drosophila gene has been determined. The corresponding protein sequence has 35 immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domains which are separated by shorter linker sequences, except near the N and C termini of the molecule where linker sequences are short or missing. This confirms a model in which each Ig domain binds to an actin protomer. The Drosophila kettin gene is at 62C 1-3 on the third chromosome. Two P-element insertions, l(3)j1D7 and l(3)rL182 are in the kettin gene, and complementation tests showed that existing l(3)dre8 mutations are in the same gene. The RNA was detected in wild-type Drosophila embryos at stage 11, first in the gut invagination region of the mesoderm, and by stage 13 in both visceral and somatic mesoderm. Somatic mesoderm expression became segmental at stage 13. RNA expression was greatly reduced in embryos of P-element homozygotes but normal in heterozygotes. The structure of the flight muscle in all the heterozygous mutants was normal, including the myofibril-cuticle connections, and they were able to fly. Kettin sequence homologous to the Drosophila protein, was identified in the Caenorhabditis elegans genome database. The RNA was detected in pharyngeal, body wall and anal depressor muscles of larvae and adult worms, as well as in the male gonad. Antibody to insect kettin labelled the pharyngeal, body wall, anal depressor and proximal gonadal muscles in adult worms. Body wall muscles were labelled in an obliquely striated pattern consistent with the Z-disc localisation in insect muscle. The relationship of kettin to D-titin, which has been assigned to the same chromosomal locus in Drosophila, is discussed.

Differential expression of cardiac titin isoforms and modulation of cellular stiffness

Extension of the I-band segment of titin gives rise to part of the diastolic force of cardiac muscle. Previous studies of human cardiac titin transcripts suggested a series of differential splicing events in the I-band segment of titin leading to the so-called N2A and N2B isoform transcripts. Here we investigated titin expression at the protein level in a wide range of mammalian species. Results indicate that the myocardium coexpresses 2 distinct titin isoforms: a smaller isoform containing the N2B element only (N2B titin) and a larger isoform with both the N2B and N2A elements (N2BA titin). The expression ratio of large N2BA to small N2B titin isoforms was found to vary greatly in different species; eg, in the left ventricle the ratio is approximately 0.05 in mouse and approximately 1.5 in pig. Differences in the expression ratio were also found between atria and ventricles and between different layers of the ventricular wall. Immunofluorescence experiments with isoform-specific antibodies suggest that coexpression of these isoforms takes place at the single-myocyte level. The diastolic properties of single cardiac myocytes isolated from various species expressing high levels of the small (rat and mouse) or large (pig) titin isoform were studied. On average, pig myocytes are significantly less stiff than mouse and rat myocytes. Gel analysis indicates that this result cannot be explained by varying amounts of titin in mouse and pig myocardium. Rather, low stiffness of pig myocytes can be explained by its high expression level of the large isoform: the longer extensible region of this isoform results in a lower fractional extension for a given sarcomere length and hence a lower force. Implications of our findings to cardiac function are discussed.

Molecular dissection of N2B cardiac titin's extensibility

Titin is a giant filamentous polypeptide of multidomain construction spanning between the Z- and M-lines of the cardiac muscle sarcomere. Extension of the I-band segment of titin gives rise to a force that underlies part of the diastolic force of cardiac muscle. Titin's force arises from its extensible I-band region, which consists of two main segment types: serially linked immunoglobulin-like domains (tandem Ig segments) interrupted with a proline (P)-, glutamate (E)-, valine (V)-, and lysine (K)-rich segment called PEVK segment. In addition to these segments, the extensible region of cardiac titin also contains a unique 572-residue sequence that is part of the cardiac-specific N2B element. In this work, immunoelectron microscopy was used to study the molecular origin of the in vivo extensibility of the I-band region of cardiac titin. The extensibility of the tandem Ig segments, the PEVK segment, and that of the unique N2B sequence were studied, using novel antibodies against Ig domains that flank these segments. Results show that only the tandem Igs extend at sarcomere lengths (SLs) below approximately 2.0 microm, and that, at longer SLs, the PEVK and the unique sequence extend as well. At the longest SLs that may be reached under physiological conditions ( approximately 2.3 microm), the PEVK segment length is approximately 50 nm whereas the unique N2B sequence is approximately 80 nm long. Thus, the unique sequence provides additional extensibility to cardiac titins and this may eliminate the necessity for unfolding of Ig domains under physiological conditions. In summary, this work provides direct evidence that the three main molecular subdomains of N2B titin are all extensible and that their contribution to extensibility decreases in the order of tandem Igs, unique N2B sequence, and PEVK segment.

Initiation and maturation of I-Z-I bodies in the growth tips of transfected myotubes

While over a dozen I-Z-I proteins are expressed in postmitotic myoblasts and myotubes it is unclear how, when, or where these first assemble into transitory I-Z-I bodies (thin filament/Z-band precursors) and, a short time later, into definitive I-Z-I bands. By double-staining the growth tips of transfected myotubes expressing (a) MYC-tagged s-alpha-actinins (MYC/s-alpha-actinins) or (b) green fluorescent protein-tagged titin cap (GFP/T-cap) with antibodies against MYC and I-Z-I band proteins, we found that the de novo assembly of I-Z-I bodies and their maturation into I-Z-I bands involved relatively concurrent, cooperative binding and reconfiguration of, at a minimum, 5 integral Z-band molecules. These included s-alpha-actinin, nebulin, titin, T-cap and alpha-actin. Resolution of the approximately 1.0 microm polarized alpha-actin/nebulin/tropomyosin/troponin thin filament complexes occurred subsequent to the maturation of Z-bands into a dense tetragonal configuration. Of particular interest is finding that mutant MYC/s-alpha-actinin peptides (a) lacking spectrin-like repeats 1–4, or consisting of spectrin-like repeats 1–4 only, as well as (b) mutants/fragments lacking titin or alpha-actin binding sites, were promptly and exclusively incorporated into de novo assembling I-Z-I bodies and definitive I-Z-I bands as was exogenous full length MYC/s-alpha-actinin or GFP/T-cap.

I-band titin in cardiac muscle is a three-element molecular spring and is critical for maintaining thin filament structure

In cardiac muscle, the giant protein titin exists in different length isoforms expressed in the molecule's I-band region. Both isoforms, termed N2-A and N2-B, comprise stretches of Ig-like modules separated by the PEVK domain. Central I-band titin also contains isoform-specific Ig-motifs and nonmodular sequences, notably a longer insertion in N2-B. We investigated the elastic behavior of the I-band isoforms by using single-myofibril mechanics, immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunoelectron microscopy of rabbit cardiac sarcomeres stained with sequence-assigned antibodies. Moreover, we overexpressed constructs from the N2-B region in chick cardiac cells to search for possible structural properties of this cardiac-specific segment. We found that cardiac titin contains three distinct elastic elements: poly-Ig regions, the PEVK domain, and the N2-B sequence insertion, which extends approximately 60 nm at high physiological stretch. Recruitment of all three elements allows cardiac titin to extend fully reversibly at physiological sarcomere lengths, without the need to unfold Ig domains. Overexpressing the entire N2-B region or its NH(2) terminus in cardiac myocytes greatly disrupted thin filament, but not thick filament structure. Our results strongly suggest that the NH(2)-terminal N2-B domains are necessary to stabilize thin filament integrity. N2-B-titin emerges as a unique region critical for both reversible extensibility and structural maintenance of cardiac myofibrils.

Mechanically driven contour-length adjustment in rat cardiac titin's unique N2B sequence: titin is an adjustable spring

The giant elastic protein titin is largely responsible for passive forces in cardiac myocytes. A number of different titin isoforms with distinctly different structural elements within their central I-band region are expressed in human myocardium. Their coexpression has so far prevented an understanding of the respective contributions of the isoforms to myocardial elasticity. Using isoform-specific antibodies, we find in the present study that rat myocardium expresses predominantly the small N2B titin isoform, which allows us to characterize the elastic behavior of this isoform. The extensibility and force response of N2B titin were studied by using immunoelectron microscopy and by measuring the passive force-sarcomere length (SL) relation of single rat cardiac myocytes under a variety of mechanical conditions. Experimental results were compared with the predictions of a mechanical model in which the elastic titin segment behaves as two wormlike chains, the tandem immunoglobulin (Ig) segments and the PEVK segment (rich in proline [P], glutamate [E], valine [V], and lysine [K] residues), connected in series. The overall contour length was predicted from the sequence of N2B cardiac titin. According to mechanical measurements, above approximately 2.2 microm SL titin's elastic segment extends beyond its predicted contour length. Immunoelectron microscopy indicates that a prominent source of this contour-length gain is the extension of the unique N2B sequence (located between proximal tandem Ig segment and PEVK), and that Ig domain unfolding is negligible. Thus, the elastic region of N2B cardiac titin consists of three mechanically distinct extensible segments connected in series: the tandem Ig segment, the PEVK segment, and the unique N2B sequence. Rate-dependent and repetitive stretch-release experiments indicate that both the contour-length gain and the recovery from it involve kinetic processes, probably unfolding and refolding within the N2B segment. As a result, the contour length of titin's extensible segment depends on the rate and magnitude of the preceding mechanical perturbations. The rate of recovery from the length gain is slow, ensuring that the adjusted length is maintained through consecutive cardiac cycles and that hysteresis is minimal. Thus, as a result of the extensible properties of the unique N2B sequence, the I-band region of the N2B cardiac titin isoform functions as a molecular spring that is adjustable.

Mutations in the nebulin gene associated with autosomal recessive nemaline myopathy

The congenital nemaline myopathies are rare hereditary muscle disorders characterized by the presence in the muscle fibers of nemaline bodies consisting of proteins derived from the Z disc and thin filament. In a single large Australian family with an autosomal dominant form of nemaline myopathy, the disease is caused by a mutation in the alpha-tropomyosin gene TPM3. The typical form of nemaline myopathy is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, the locus of which we previously assigned to chromosome 2q21.2-q22. We show here that mutations in the nebulin gene located within this region are associated with the disease. The nebulin protein is a giant protein found in the thin filaments of striated muscle. A variety of nebulin isoforms are thought to contribute to the molecular diversity of Z discs. We have studied the 3' end of the 20. 8-kb cDNA encoding the Z disc part of the 800-kDa protein and describe six disease-associated mutations in patients from five families of different ethnic origins. In two families with consanguineous parents, the patients were homozygous for point mutations. In one family with nonconsanguineous parents, the affected siblings were compound heterozygotes for two different mutations, and in two further families with one detected mutation each, haplotypes are compatible with compound heterozygosity. Immunofluorescence studies with antibodies specific to the C-terminal region of nebulin indicate that the mutations may cause protein truncation possibly associated with loss of fiber-type diversity, which may be relevant to disease pathogenesis.

Muscle assembly: a titanic achievement?

The formation of perfectly aligned myofibrils in striated muscle represents a dramatic example of supramolecular assembly in eukaryotic cells. Recently, considerable progress has been made in deciphering the roles that titin, the third most abundant protein in muscle, has in this process. An increasing number of sarcomeric proteins (ligands) are being identified that bind to specific titin domains. Titin may serve as a molecular blueprint for sarcomere assembly and turnover by specifying the precise position of its ligands within each half-sarcomere in addition to functioning as a molecular spring that maintains the structural integrity of the contracting myofibrils.

Association of kettin with actin in the Z-disc of insect flight muscle

The Z-discs of insect muscle contain kettin, a modular protein of 500-700 kDa. The Drosophila protein is made up of a chain of immunoglobulin (Ig) domains separated by linker sequences. Kettin differs from other modular muscle proteins of the Ig superfamily in binding to thin filaments rather than thick filaments. Kettin isolated from Lethocerus (waterbug) muscle is an elongated molecule 180 nm long, which binds to F-actin with high affinity (Kd=1.2 nM) and a stoichiometry of one Ig domain per actin protomer. Competition between kettin and tropomyosin for binding to actin excludes tropomyosin from the Z-disc. In contrast, kettin and alpha-actinin bind simultaneously to actin, which would reinforce the Z-disc lattice. In vitro, kettin promotes the antiparallel association of actin filaments, and a similar process may occur in the developing sarcomere: actin filaments interdigitate in an antiparallel fashion in the Z-disc with the N terminus of kettin within the Z-disc, and the C terminus some way outside. We propose a model for the association of kettin with actin in which the molecule follows the genetic helix of actin and Ig domains, separated by linker sequences, bind to each actin protomer.

The NH2 terminus of titin spans the Z-disc: its interaction with a novel 19-kD ligand (T-cap) is required for sarcomeric integrity

Titin is a giant elastic protein in vertebrate striated muscles with an unprecedented molecular mass of 3-4 megadaltons. Single molecules of titin extend from the Z-line to the M-line. Here, we define the molecular layout of titin within the Z-line; the most NH2-terminal 30 kD of titin is located at the periphery of the Z-line at the border of the adjacent sarcomere, whereas the subsequent 60 kD of titin spans the entire width of the Z-line. In vitro binding studies reveal that mammalian titins have at least four potential binding sites for alpha-actinin within their Z-line spanning region. Titin filaments may specify Z-line width and internal structure by varying the length of their NH2-terminal overlap and number of alpha-actinin binding sites that serve to cross-link the titin and thin filaments. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the NH2-terminal titin Ig repeats Z1 and Z2 in the periphery of the Z-line bind to a novel 19-kD protein, referred to as titin-cap. Using dominant-negative approaches in cardiac myocytes, both the titin Z1-Z2 domains and titin-cap are shown to be required for the structural integrity of sarcomeres, suggesting that their interaction is critical in titin filament-regulated sarcomeric assembly.

Purification of native p94, a muscle-specific calpain, and characterization of its autolysis

p94, a skeletal muscle-specific calpain, has attracted much attention because its gene is responsible for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A. p94, however, has not been characterized at the protein and enzyme levels, owing to its very rapid autolysis. In the present study, a purification procedure for p94 was first established by using a recombinant inactive p94 expressed in COS cells in which the active site cysteine residue was changed to serine [p94(C129S)]. The isolation of native p94 from rabbit skeletal muscle by the established method with conventional procedures was extremely difficult because p94 became highly unstable in a crude extract on the addition of NaCl for separation. Purification of native p94 was possible with an antibody-affinity column but only as an inactive enzyme; p94(C129S) was purified as a homodimer. Characterization of p94, especially autolysis, was performed with partly purified native p94 and p94(C129S). The autolysis of p94, which consisted at least partly of an intermolecular reaction, proceeded in three consecutive steps; 60 and 58 kDa fragments were produced as intermediates before a stable 55 kDa fragment appeared. Autolysis of p94 was regarded as a degradative step rather than for the activation of the enzyme. All the autolysis cleavage sites were located in the p94-specific insertion sequence 1 region, which explains why p94 is unstable compared with the other calpains. The autolysis sites in p94 clearly showed a different specificity relative to the autolytic and proteolytic cleavage sites of the ubiquitous mu- and m-calpains, in its preference for residues at the P3 to P1' sites, indicating a distinct substrate specificity and function for the muscle enzyme.

Characterization of nebulette and nebulin and emerging concepts of their roles for vertebrate Z-discs

Nebulin is an 800 kDa large actin-binding protein specific to skeletal muscle and thought to act as a molecular template that regulates the length of thin filaments. Recently, a 100 kDa nebulin-like protein has been described in the avian cardiac muscle and referred to as nebulette. We have determined the full-length (8 kb) cDNA sequence of the human nebulette. Its open reading frame (3044 bp) encodes a 109 kDa protein that shares extensive similarity with the C-terminal region of human nebulin. The C-terminal regions of nebulin and nebulette are identical in domain organization and share a family of highly related C-terminal repeats, a serine-rich domain with potential phosphorylation sites, and an SH3 domain. Immunoelectron-microscopy suggests that the C-terminal 30 kDa of nebulin and nebulette filaments integrate into the Z-disc lattice, whereas their N termini appear to project into the I-band. Gene mapping studies assign the human nebulette gene to chromosome 10p12, whereas the nebulin gene has been previously assigned to 2q21. Evolutionary constraints appear to have maintained identical modular arrangements in these two independent genes. Comparison of nebulin and nebulette cDNAs demonstrates that a subgroup of repeats within the C-terminal regions is regulated tissue-specifically and stage-dependently during development of both molecules. This leads to a substantial diversity of nebulin and nebulette isoforms. Their further study is likely to provide insights into how they contribute to the molecular diversity of Z-discs from different muscle tissues and fiber types.

A survey of the primary structure and the interspecies conservation of I-band titin's elastic elements in vertebrates

Titin is a >3000-kDa large filamentous protein of vertebrate-striated muscle, and single titin molecules extend from the Z disc to the M line. In its I-band section, titin behaves extensible and is responsible for myofibrillar passive tension during stretch. However, details of the molecular basis of titin's elasticity are not known. We have compared the motif sequences of titin elastic elements from different vertebrate species and from different regions of the molecule. The I-band titin Ig repeats that are expressed in the stiff cardiac muscle and those that are tissue-specifically expressed in more elastic skeletal muscles represent distinct subgroups. Within the tissue-specifically expressed Ig repeats, a super-repeat structure is found. For the PEVK titin sequences, we surveyed interspecies conservation by hybridization experiments. The sequences of the titin gene which code for the C-terminal region of the PEVK domain are conserved in the genomes of a larger variety of vertebrates, whereas the N-terminal PEVK sequences are more divergent. Future comparisons of titin gene sequences from different vertebrates may improve our understanding of how titin contributes to species diversity of myofibrillar elasticity. Within one species, different classes of Ig repeat families may contribute to elastic diversity of the titin spring in different segments.