GSE209546
Biasing the conformation of Elmo2 reveals that the myoblast fusion process can be exploited for regenerative therapy
Myoblast fusion is fundamental for the development of multinucleated myofibers. Evolutionarily conserved proteins required for myoblast fusion include Rac1 and its activator Dock1. Here, we tested the functions of Elmo proteins, Dock1-interacting scaffolds, on myoblast fusion. When Elmo1-/- mice underwent muscle-specific Elmo2 genetic ablation, they exhibited severe myoblast fusion defects. A mutation in the Elmo2 gene that reduced signaling resulted in a decrease in myoblast fusion. Conversely, a mutation in Elmo2 promoting its open conformation increased myoblast fusion during development and in muscle regeneration. Finally, we showed that the dystrophic features of the Dysferlin-null mice, a model of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B, were reversed when expressing Elmo2 in an open conformation. These data provide direct evidence that the myoblast fusion process could be exploited for regenerative and therapeutic purposes. Overall design: Gene expression profiling by RNAseq for differentiated primary myoblasts isolated from wildtype (WT, N=3) and Elmo EID/EID (EID, N=2) mice.