Mitochondria are fast Ca2+ sinks in rat extraocular muscles: a novel regulatory influence on contractile function and metabolism.
OBJECTIVE
The ultrafast extraocular muscles necessitate tight regulation of free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Mitochondrial Ca2+ influx may be fast enough for this role. In the present study, three hypotheses were tested: (1) Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake regulates [Ca2+]i and production of force in extraocular muscle; (2) mitochondrial content correlates with their use as Ca2+ sinks; and (3) mitochondrial content in extraocular muscle is determined by the transcription factors and coactivators that initiate muscle adaptation to aerobic exercise.


METHODS
Extraocular and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used to examine how the Ca2+ release agonists caffeine and 4-chloro-3-ethylphenol (CEP), calcimycin (a Ca2+ ionophore) and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP; a mitochondrial uncoupler) alter [Ca2+]i and force transients. Mitochondrial volume density and capillary density were analyzed by stereology and citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase by biochemical assays. Real-time PCR measured mRNAs of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis.


RESULTS
Caffeine, CEP, and calcimycin increased resting [Ca2+]i to a greater extent in EDL. Peak tetanic [Ca2+]i increased in extraocular muscle with caffeine and CEP. CCCP augmented peak tetanic and submaximum [Ca2+]i and force significantly more in extraocular muscles. Mitochondrial volume density and capillary density were three times greater, and citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase were only approximately 2-fold higher in extraocular muscle. Calcineurin Aalpha, calcineurin B, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)gamma were more abundant in extraocular muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the hypothesis that mitochondria serve as Ca2+ sinks in extraocular muscles. The high mitochondrial content of these muscles may partly reflect this additional function. It is likely that mitochondrial Ca2+ influx increases the dynamic response range of the extraocular muscles and matches metabolic demand to supply.
Andrade
Francisco H
FH
Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298, USA. paco.andrade@uky.edu
McMullen
Colleen A
CA
Rumbaut
Rolando E
RE
D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D008931:Mitochondria, Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D002733:Chlorophenols; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C091710:4-chloro-3-ethylphenol; D000001:Calcimycin; D002110:Caffeine; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase; D002118:Calcium