Structural remodeling of unweighted soleus myotendinous junction in monkey.
This study describes the morphology of the soleus myotendinous junction (MTJ) in the Rhesus monkey. Ultrastructural observations revealed a structural complexity that probably reflects functional adaptations. We also studied ultrastructural modifications of the MTJ in response to 14 days of hypokinesia and microgravity (Bion 11 mission). The reduced limb mobility of the animals, placed in a safety seat aboard the satellite, induced a sarcolemmal remodeling that was enhanced by the microgravity conditions. Signs of MTJ remodeling such as alterations of contractile apparatus and myofilament-anchoring structures, T-tubule dilation, and autophagic vacuoles could be ascribed to the microgravity.
Roffino
Sandrine
S
Laboratoire de physiologie des adaptations, performance motrice et santé, faculté des sciences du sport, université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, 261, route de Grenoble, BP 259, 06205 Nice cedex 3, France. RoffinoS@aol.com
Carnino
Alain
A
Chopard
Angèle
A
Mutin
Murielle
M
Marini
Jean-François
JF
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018534:Earth, Planet; D005426:Flight, Animal; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013026:Space Flight; D013710:Tendons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors