Neural activity and mechanical load have been shown to be important physiological stimuli that regulate skeletal muscle phenotype in the adult animal. The phenotype changes have been well characterized, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms through which these stimulate regulate the contractile protein genes. The long-term objective of this study is to determine the neural- and mechanical load-dependent mechanisms that regulate the myosin light chain-2 slow (MLC2slow) gene.
The specific aims : 1) to identify the proteins that form transcription factor complexes at critical promoter sites of the MLC2slow gene with neural activity and mechanical loads, and 2) to determine the mechanism(s) by which extra- and intracellular calcium modulates the function of specific transcription factors in vitro. This proposal will combine an in vivo models of muscle regeneration and in vitro methods to identify important factors and pathways involved in the physiologic regulation of the promoter of the MLC2slow gene. This study is significant because in addition to their important role in muscle biology, the contractile proteins have been implicated in the other cell events, such as the maintenance of cell architecture and morphology. At an applied level, muscle regeneration occurs following muscle damage from mechanical, thermal, or metabolic stress, in addition to its association with dystrophic muscle pathologies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32NR007577-02
Application #
6402009
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Program Officer
Armstrong, Nell
Project Start
2001-08-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-08-01
Budget End
2002-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$33,832
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Nutrition
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
121911077
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612