Microtubule plus-end binding protein EB1 is necessary for muscle cell differentiation, elongation and fusion.
During muscle differentiation, microtubule stability, nucleation and orientation all undergo profound changes, which are simultaneous with and possibly necessary for the elongation and fusion of muscle cells. We do not yet understand these events, but they present similarities with the polarized migration of fibroblasts, in which EB1 is necessary for microtubule stabilization. However, it was recently reported that EB3, not EB1, is involved in muscle cell elongation and fusion, and that neither of these two proteins influences microtubule stabilization. To re-examine the role of EB1, we have generated C2 cell lines permanently expressing EB1-targeted shRNAs. In these lines, EB1 is specifically knocked down by more than 90% before any differentiation-related changes can take place. We find that differentiation (assessed by myogenin expression), elongation and fusion are prevented. In addition, two early events that normally precede differentiation - microtubule stabilization and the accumulation of cadherin and beta-catenin on the plasma membrane - are inhibited. Re-expression of EB1 as EB1-GFP restores all aspects of normal differentiation, whereas overexpression of EB3-GFP restores elongation but not fusion. We conclude that EB1 is necessary for the early stages of muscle differentiation.
Light-imaging Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. zhangt1@mail.nih.gov
Tan
T
Zhang
Kristien J M
KJ
Zaal
John
J
Sheridan
Amisha
A
Mehta
Gregg G
GG
Gundersen
Evelyn
E
Ralston
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002460:Cell Line; D048430:Cell Shape; D051379:Mice; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D032448:Myoblasts, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D015820:Cadherins; C405804:EB1 microtubule binding proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin