Regulation of myogenin protein expression in denervated muscles from young and old rats

Regulation of myogenin protein expression in denervated muscles from young and old rats. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 279: R179-R188, 2000.--Myogenin is a muscLe-specific transcription factor participating in denervationinduced increases in nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) gene expression. Although myogenin RNA expression in denerrated muscle is well documented, surprisingly little is known about myogenin protein expression. Therefore, we assayed myogenin protein and RNA in innervated and denervated muscles from young (4 mo) and old (24-32 mo) rats and compared this expression to that of the nAChR [Alpha]-subunit RNA. These assays revealed increased myogenin protein expression within 1 day of denervation, preceding detectable increases in nAChR RNA. By 3 days of denervation, myogenin and nAChR [Alpha]-subunit RNA were increased 500- and 130-fold, respectively, whereas myogenin protein increased 14-fold. Interestingly, old rats (32 mo) had 6-fold higher myogenin protein and ~80-fold higher mRNA levels than young rats. However, after denervation, expression levels were similar for young and old animals. The increased myogenin expression during aging, which tends to localize to small fibers, likely reflects spontaneous denervation and/or regeneration. Our results show that increased myogenin protein in denervated muscles correlates with the upregulation of its mRNA. nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; aging; gene expression