The effects of β-adrenergic stimulation and exercise on NR4A3 protein expression in rat skeletal muscle

β-Adrenergic stimulation and exercise up-regulate the mRNA expression of nuclear receptor NR4A3, which is involved in the regulation of glucose and fatty acid utilization genes in skeletal muscle. The objective of our study was to examine the effects of β-adrenergic stimulation and exercise on the expression of NR4A3 protein in rat skeletal muscle. A single subcutaneous injection of clenbuterol, which is a β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) agonist, increased NR4A3 mRNA and protein expression in the fast-twitch glycolytic triceps muscle. On the other hand, an acute 3-h session of either treadmill running or swimming did not increase the NR4A3 protein level in the exercised muscle, although both treadmill running and swimming increased NR4A3 mRNA. Finally, loss of postural contractile activity because of hindlimb immobilization reduced NR4A3 mRNA and protein in the slow-twitch oxidative soleus muscle. These results suggest that: β-adrenergic stimulation up-regulates not only NR4A3 mRNA but also NR4A3 protein in fast-twitch glycolytic muscle; exercise may increase NR4A3 mRNA but not NR4A3 protein in skeletal muscle; and local postural contractile activity plays a crucial role in maintaining NR4A3 protein expression level in postural muscle.