Transformation of fast fibres to slow prevented by lack of activity in developing lobster muscle

C. K. Govind, Karla S. Kent

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adult mammalian twitch muscle fibres are extremely plastic, being able to transform from one type to another under the direction of their motoneurones1-3. The most unequivocal type of fibre transformation is that of fast-twitch to slow-twitch type, either with cross-reinnervation of the fast muscle with a slow nerve4-6, or with chronic low frequency stimulation of the intact nerve to a fast muscle7,8. Moreover, direct electrical stimulation of the muscle itself with a tonic pattern is just as effective in converting fast fibres to slow9. All these experiments suggest that activity of the muscle itself, imposed by whatever means, is crucial in the transformation of fast to slow fibres8-10. A similar transformation during development may be responsible for producing the adult diversity of fibre types, as fibres begin by synthesizing myosin of an embryonic type which is replaced by a neonatal type and finally the adult type of fast11 and slow12, which occurs concurrently with innervation. We report here that during development of the paired claw closer muscle in lobsters, reducing or eliminating activity in one of the muscles by tenotomy or denervation prevents its fast fibres from becoming transformed into slow. Our results therefore suggest a regulatory role for activity in the differentiation of lobster slow fibres.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)755-757
Number of pages3
JournalNature
Volume298
Issue number5876
DOIs
StatePublished - 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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