SESN2 prevents the slow-to-fast myofiber shift in denervated atrophy via AMPK/PGC-1α pathway

Abstract Background Sestrin2 (SESN2), a stress-inducible protein, has been reported to protect against denervated muscle atrophy through unfolded protein response and mitophagy, while its role in myofiber type transition remains unknown. Methods A mouse sciatic nerve transection model was created to evaluate denervated muscle atrophy. Myofiber type transition was confirmed by western blot, fluorescence staining, ATP quantification, and metabolic enzyme activity analysis. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was adopted to achieve SESN2 knockdown and overexpression in gastrocnemius. AMPK/PGC-1α signal was detected by western blot and activated with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR). C2C12 myotubes with rotenone treatment were adopted for in vitro experiments. Results SESN2 was found to be upregulated in denervated skeletal muscles and rotenone-treated C2C12 cells. Knockdown of SESN2 aggravated muscle atrophy and accelerated myofiber type transition from slow-twitch to fast-twitch. Moreover, AMPK/PGC-1α signaling was proven to be activated by SESN2 after denervation, which further induced the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor HIF2α. Exogenous activation of AMPK/PGC-1α signaling could counteract the addition of slow-to-fast myofiber shift caused by SESN2 knockdown and lead to the retainment of muscle mass after denervation. Conclusion Collectively, the present study indicates that SESN2 prevents myofiber type transition from slow-twitch to fast-twitch and preserves muscle mass in denervated atrophy via AMPK/PGC-1α signaling. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of muscle atrophy and provide novel insights into the role of SESN2 in myofiber type transition.