Role of alpha-actinin-3 in contractile properties of human single muscle fibers: a case series study in paraplegics.

ABSTRACT: A common nonsense polymorphism in the ACTN3 gene results in the absence of α-actinin-3 in XX individuals. The wild type allele has been associated with power athlete status and an increased force output in numeral studies, though the mechanisms by which these effects occur are unclear. Recent findings in the Actn3(-/-) (KO) mouse suggest a shift towards 'slow' metabolic and contractile characteristics of fast muscle fibers lacking α-actinin-3. Skinned single fibers from the quadriceps muscle of three men with spinal cord injury (SCI) were tested regarding peak force, unloaded shortening velocity, force-velocity relationship, passive tension and calcium sensitivity. The SCI condition induces an 'equal environment condition' what makes these subjects ideal to study the role of α-actinin-3 on

SUBMITTER: Broos S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3493539 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature