Cytoskeletal tropomyosin Tm5NM1 is required for normal excitation–contraction coupling in skeletal muscle

N Vlahovich, AJ Kee, C Van der Poel… - Molecular biology of …, 2009 - Am Soc Cell Biol
N Vlahovich, AJ Kee, C Van der Poel, E Kettle, D Hernandez-Deviez, C Lucas, GS Lynch…
Molecular biology of the cell, 2009Am Soc Cell Biol
The functional diversity of the actin microfilaments relies in part on the actin binding protein
tropomyosin (Tm). The muscle-specific Tms regulate actin-myosin interactions and hence
contraction. However, there is less known about the roles of the numerous cytoskeletal
isoforms. We have shown previously that a cytoskeletal Tm, Tm5NM1, defines a Z-line
adjacent cytoskeleton in skeletal muscle. Recently, we identified a second cytoskeletal Tm in
this region, Tm4. Here we show that Tm4 and Tm5NM1 define separate actin filaments; the …
The functional diversity of the actin microfilaments relies in part on the actin binding protein tropomyosin (Tm). The muscle-specific Tms regulate actin-myosin interactions and hence contraction. However, there is less known about the roles of the numerous cytoskeletal isoforms. We have shown previously that a cytoskeletal Tm, Tm5NM1, defines a Z-line adjacent cytoskeleton in skeletal muscle. Recently, we identified a second cytoskeletal Tm in this region, Tm4. Here we show that Tm4 and Tm5NM1 define separate actin filaments; the former associated with the terminal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and other tubulovesicular structures. In skeletal muscles of Tm5NM1 knockout (KO) mice, Tm4 localization was unchanged, demonstrating the specificity of the membrane association. Tm5NM1 KO muscles exhibit potentiation of T-system depolarization and decreased force rundown with repeated T-tubule depolarizations consistent with altered T-tubule function. These results indicate that a Tm5NM1-defined actin cytoskeleton is required for the normal excitation–contraction coupling in skeletal muscle.
Am Soc Cell Biol