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In cell biology, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) 2' O -methyl (2'- O -Me) is the most prevalent posttranscriptional chemical modification contributing to ribosome heterogeneity. The modification involves a family of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and is specified by box C/D snoRNAs (SNORDs). Given the importance of ribosome biogenesis for skeletal muscle growth, we asked if rRNA 2'- O -Me in nascent ribosomes synthesized in response to a growth stimulus is an unrecognized mode of ribosome heterogeneity in muscle. To determine the pattern and dynamics of 2'- O -Me rRNA, we used a sequencing-based profiling method called RiboMeth-seq (RMS). We applied this method to tissue-derived rRNA of skeletal muscle and rRNA specifically from the muscle fiber using an inducible myofiber-specific RiboTag mouse in sedentary and mechanically overloaded conditions. These analyses were complemented by myonuclear-specific small RNA sequencing to profile SNORDs and link the rRNA epitranscriptome to known regulatory elements generated within the muscle fiber. We demonstrate for the first time that mechanical overload of skeletal muscle 1 ) induces decreased 2'- O -Me at a subset of skeletal muscle rRNA and 2 ) alters the SNORD profile in isolated myonuclei. These findings point to a transient diversification of the ribosome pool via 2'- O -Me during growth and adaptation in skeletal muscle. These findings suggest changes in ribosome heterogeneity at the 2'- O -Me level during muscle hypertrophy and lay the foundation for studies investigating the functional implications of these newly identified "growth-induced" ribosomes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are posttranscriptionally modified by 2' O -methyl (2'- O -Me). This study applied RiboMeth-seq (RMS) to detect changes in 2'- O -Me levels during skeletal muscle hypertrophy, uncovering transient diversification of the ribosome pool in skeletal muscle fibers. This work implies a role for ribosome heterogeneity in skeletal muscle growth and adaptation.

To date, studies that have aimed to investigate the role of satellite cells during adult skeletal muscle adaptation and hypertrophy have utilized a nontranslational stimulus and/or have been performed over a relatively short time frame. Although it has been shown that satellite cell depletion throughout adulthood does not drive skeletal muscle loss in sedentary mice, it remains unknown how satellite cells participate in skeletal muscle adaptation to long-term physical activity. The current study was designed to determine whether reduced satellite cell content throughout adulthood would influence the transcriptome-wide response to physical activity and diminish the adaptive response of skeletal muscle. We administered vehicle or tamoxifen to adult Pax7-diphtheria toxin A (DTA) mice to deplete satellite cells and assigned them to sedentary or wheel-running conditions for 13 mo. Satellite cell depletion throughout adulthood reduced balance and coordination, overall running volume, and the size of muscle proprioceptors (spindle fibers). Furthermore, satellite cell participation was necessary for optimal muscle fiber hypertrophy but not adaptations in fiber type distribution in response to lifelong physical activity. Transcriptome-wide analysis of the plantaris and soleus revealed that satellite cell function is muscle type specific; satellite cell-dependent myonuclear accretion was apparent in oxidative muscles, whereas initiation of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in the glycolytic plantaris may require satellite cells to induce optimal adaptations to long-term physical activity. These findings suggest that satellite cells play a role in preserving physical function during aging and influence muscle adaptation during sustained periods of physical activity.