title: PGC-1α is dispensable for exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle.
abstract: Exercise confers numerous health benefits, many of which are thought to stem from exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis (EIMB) in skeletal muscle. The transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α, a potent regulator of metabolism in numerous tissues, is widely believed to be required for EIMB. We show here that this is not the case. Mice engineered to lack PGC-1α specifically in skeletal muscle (Myo-PGC-1αKO mice) retained intact EIMB. The exercise capacity of these mice was comparable to littermate controls. Induction of metabolic genes after 2 weeks of in-cage voluntary wheel running was intact. Electron microscopy revealed no gross abnormalities in mitochondria, and the mitochondrial biogenic response to endurance exercise was as robust in Myo-PGC-1αKO mice as in wildtype mice. The induction of enzymatic activity of the electron transport chain by exercise was likewise unperturbed in Myo-PGC-1αKO mice. These data demonstrate that PGC-1α is dispensable for exercise-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle, in sharp contrast to the prevalent assumption in the field.
authors: Cardiovascular Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors: Glenn C
authors: GC
authors: Rowe
authors: Riyad
authors: R
authors: El-Khoury
authors: Ian S
authors: IS
authors: Patten
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Rustin
authors: Zolt
authors: Z
authors: Arany
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045222:Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D051379:Mice; D063269:Mitochondrial Turnover / Q000235:genetics*; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D045222:Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins; D000071248:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha; C485290:Ppargc1a protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors