Neurogenic control of muscle ribosomal protein synthesis

In vitro protein synthesis of ribosomes extracted from leg muscles of 20 Sprague-Dawley rats denervated 3 and 14 days (high sciatic transections) and 10 control rats was studied. The concentration/mg protein of total ribosomes extracted from the 14-day denervated muscle showed a significant increase. Distribution of muscle polyribosomes on sucrose density gradients was normal in all cases. Noncollagen protein synthesis of the heavy polyribosomes from both early and late denervated muscles showed a significant decrease. SDS polyacrylamide gels suggested that this decrease affected the synthesis of heavy chains of myosin, while the light chains of myosin, actin and tropomyosin had normal structure and amounts. Collagen synthesis of heavy polyribosomes showed slight to moderate increase in only 50 per cent of the cases. Supplementation of ribosomes extracted from denervated muscles with normal muscle soluble enzymes increased their noncollagen synthesis by 66 per cent. This suggests that the neurogenic control of ribosomal protein synthesis is accomplished by hormonal trophic substances contained in the muscle soluble enzymes.