Dysferlin stabilizes stress-induced Ca2+ signaling in the transverse tubule membrane

JP Kerr, AP Ziman, AL Mueller… - Proceedings of the …, 2013 - National Acad Sciences
JP Kerr, AP Ziman, AL Mueller, JM Muriel, E Kleinhans-Welte, JD Gumerson, SS Vogel
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2013National Acad Sciences
Dysferlinopathies, most commonly limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and Miyoshi
myopathy, are degenerative myopathies caused by mutations in the DYSF gene encoding
the protein dysferlin. Studies of dysferlin have focused on its role in the repair of the
sarcolemma of skeletal muscle, but dysferlin's association with calcium (Ca2+) signaling
proteins in the transverse (t-) tubules suggests additional roles. Here, we reveal that
dysferlin is enriched in the t-tubule membrane of mature skeletal muscle fibers. Following …
Dysferlinopathies, most commonly limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and Miyoshi myopathy, are degenerative myopathies caused by mutations in the DYSF gene encoding the protein dysferlin. Studies of dysferlin have focused on its role in the repair of the sarcolemma of skeletal muscle, but dysferlin’s association with calcium (Ca2+) signaling proteins in the transverse (t-) tubules suggests additional roles. Here, we reveal that dysferlin is enriched in the t-tubule membrane of mature skeletal muscle fibers. Following experimental membrane stress in vitro, dysferlin-deficient muscle fibers undergo extensive functional and structural disruption of the t-tubules that is ameliorated by reducing external [Ca2+] or blocking L-type Ca2+ channels with diltiazem. Furthermore, we demonstrate that diltiazem treatment of dysferlin-deficient mice significantly reduces eccentric contraction-induced t-tubule damage, inflammation, and necrosis, which resulted in a concomitant increase in postinjury functional recovery. Our discovery of dysferlin as a t-tubule protein that stabilizes stress-induced Ca2+ signaling offers a therapeutic avenue for limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and Miyoshi myopathy patients.
National Acad Sciences