Myosin and troponin changes in rat soleus muscle after hindlimb suspension

We examined the myosin heavy-chain (MHC), troponin T (TnT), and troponin I (TnI) isoform composition in the rat soleus muscle after 21 days of hindlimb suspension using electrophoretic and immunoblotting analysis with specific monoclonal antibodies. The suspended soleus showed a shift in the MHC isoform distribution with a marked increase (from 1.0 to 33%) in the relative amount of type IIa and IIx MHC and a corresponding decrease in type I MHC. However, type IIb MHC, which represents a major component in fast-twitch muscles, was not detected in suspended soleus muscles. TnT and TnI isoform composition was also changed with the appearance of fast-type TnI and TnT bands. However, a high-mobility TnT band, which represents a major component in fast-twitch muscles, was not expressed in suspended soleus. These isoform transitions may be related to the increased maximal velocity of shortening and higher calcium sensitivity previously reported in the rat soleus after hindlimb suspension.