Denervation-induced alterations in gene expression in mouse skeletal muscle

Motoneurons are important for regulating the function and properties of skeletal muscle. In the present study high-density oligonucleotide arrays have been used to compare gene expression in innervated and six-days denervated NMRI mouse skeletal muscle. To avoid looking at genes mainly participating in the process of atrophy, both hind-limb muscles (atrophic after denervation) and hemidiaphragm muscle (transiently hypertrophic after denervation) were used. Only genes previously not known to respond to denervation and with potential roles in DNA/RNA interactions/transcription and/or cellular communication/signalling are presented. Data for additional genes are provided as supplementary material. Thirty-two genes, up-regulated by a factor of two or down-regulated to the same extent after denervation, are presented. These include genes that may act through chromatin remodelling and/or as transcription factors/regulators (Cdkn1a, Cdr2, Hrmt1l2, Idb2, Myc/c-myc, L-myc1, Rb1, Sap30 and Tgif), genes possibly involved in the regulation of muscle membrane properties and/or excitation-contraction coupling (Cacng1, Camk2d, Hrmt1l2, Kcnj12, Kcna7 and Rrad) and genes potentially involved in neuromuscular interactions and/or receptor signalling (Acvr2b, Adam19, D0H4S114, Kai1, Maged1, Mt2, Prkcabp, Ptp4a3, Ramp1, Rras, Timp1, Vegfa and Zfp145). A set of five genes with altered expression after denervation (Fzd9, Nr4a1, Frat2, Ctgf and Cyr61) indicate that Wnt signalling may be reduced in denervated skeletal muscle.