Sarcomeric myosin heavy chain gene family: organization and pattern of expression

The sarcomeric myosin heavy chains (MHCs), which exhibit different levels of ATPase activity, are encoded by a closely related multigene family from which seven members have been identified and characterized in the rat. The MHC genes appear to map to a single chromosome, and at least two of them, alpha- and beta-cardiac, are closely linked in the genome. Each of these genes is approximately 25 kilobases long, and their coding sequences are interrupted by 40 introns. Each MHC gene displays a pattern of expression that is tissue-specific and developmentally regulated, with more than one MHC gene expressed in each muscle and developmental stage. Moreover, with the exception of the extra-ocular muscle MHC gene that has a very specific pattern of expression, the other genes are all expressed in more than one tissue. The expression of all MHC genes can be modulated by thyroid hormone. Surprisingly, however, the same myosin heavy chain gene can be regulated by thyroid hormone in highly different modes, even in opposite directions, depending on the tissue in which it is expressed. Furthermore, the skeletal embryonic and neonatal myosin heavy chain genes, so far considered specific to these two developmental stages, can be re-induced by hypothyroidism in specific adult muscles.