S U M M A R YThe accurate classification of skeletal muscle fiber types according to myosin heavy chain (MyHC) polymorphism remains a difficult task in the pig. Combined myofibrillar ATPase and metabolic enzyme histochemistry, in situ hybridization, and immunocytochemistry were performed on serial transverse sections of pig longissimus (L) and rhomboideus (R) muscles at 100 kg body weight to give a new insight into muscle fiber typing in the pig. Several monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) either specific for a single MyHC (I, IIa, or IIb) or of multiple MyHCs (IIa ϩ IIx or I ϩ IIx ϩ IIb) were used. No monospecific IIx antibody was available for the pig. All three adult Type II isoforms were expressed in the white L muscle, whereas no IIb was observed in the red R muscle, which was confirmed using RNase protection analysis. In most fibers, the distribution of the transcripts closely matched that of the corresponding proteins. When observed, co-expression of MyHCs mostly occured for IIx and IIb in L muscle, and was more common at the protein (11.5%) than at the mRNA (2.2%) level. A minor proportion of myofibers showed a mismatch between MyHC mRNA and protein. According to the type grouping distribution of myofibers encountered in pig muscle, MyHC isoform expression followed the rank order of I → IIa → IIx → IIb from the center to the periphery of the islets, concomitantly with a decrease in oxidative metabolism and an increase in fiber size. The developmental origin and functional significance of the type grouping distribution are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.