[HTML][HTML] GRAF1 promotes ferlin-dependent myoblast fusion

KC Lenhart, AL Becherer, J Li, X Xiao, EM McNally… - Developmental …, 2014 - Elsevier
KC Lenhart, AL Becherer, J Li, X Xiao, EM McNally, CP Mack, JM Taylor
Developmental biology, 2014Elsevier
Myoblast fusion (a critical process by which muscles grow) occurs in a multi-step fashion that
requires actin and membrane remodeling; but important questions remain regarding the
spatial/temporal regulation of and interrelationship between these processes. We recently
reported that the Rho-GAP, GRAF1, was particularly abundant in muscles undergoing fusion
to form multinucleated fibers and that enforced expression of GRAF1 in cultured myoblasts
induced robust fusion by a process that required GAP-dependent actin remodeling and BAR …
Abstract
Myoblast fusion (a critical process by which muscles grow) occurs in a multi-step fashion that requires actin and membrane remodeling; but important questions remain regarding the spatial/temporal regulation of and interrelationship between these processes. We recently reported that the Rho-GAP, GRAF1, was particularly abundant in muscles undergoing fusion to form multinucleated fibers and that enforced expression of GRAF1 in cultured myoblasts induced robust fusion by a process that required GAP-dependent actin remodeling and BAR domain-dependent membrane sculpting. Herein we developed a novel line of GRAF1-deficient mice to explore a role for this protein in the formation/maturation of myotubes in vivo. Post-natal muscles from GRAF1-depleted mice exhibited a significant and persistent reduction in cross-sectional area, impaired regenerative capacity and a significant decrease in force production indicative of lack of efficient myoblast fusion. A significant fusion defect was recapitulated in isolated myoblasts depleted of GRAF1 or its closely related family member GRAF2. Mechanistically, we show that GRAF1 and 2 facilitate myoblast fusion, at least in part, by promoting vesicle-mediated translocation of fusogenic ferlin proteins to the plasma membrane.
Elsevier