Ca(2+) permeation and/or binding to CaV1.1 fine-tunes skeletal muscle Ca(2+) signaling to sustain muscle function.

BACKGROUND: Ca(2+) influx through CaV1.1 is not required for skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling, but whether Ca(2+) permeation through CaV1.1 during sustained muscle activity plays a functional role in mammalian skeletal muscle has not been assessed. METHODS: We generated a mouse with a Ca(2+) binding and/or permeation defect in the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel, CaV1.1, and used Ca(2+) imaging, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, proximity ligation assays, SUnSET analysis of protein synthesis, and Ca(2+) imaging techniques to define pathways modulated by Ca(2+) binding and/or permeation of CaV1.1. We also assessed fiber type distributions, cross-sectional area, and force frequency and fatigue in isolated muscles. RESULTS: Using mice with a pore mutation in CaV1.1 required for Ca(2+) binding and/or permeation (E1014K, EK), we demonstrate that CaV1.1 opening is coupled to CaMKII activation and refilling of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores during sustained activity. Decreases in these Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme activities alter downstream signaling pathways (Ras/Erk/mTORC1) that lead to decreased muscle protein synthesis. The physiological consequences of the permeation and/or Ca(2+) binding defect in CaV1.1 are increased fatigue, decreased fiber size, and increased Type IIb fibers. CONCLUSIONS: While not essential for excitation-contraction coupling, Ca(2+) binding and/or permeation via the CaV1.1 pore plays an important modulatory role in muscle performance.

Ligands for FKBP12 increase Ca2+ influx and protein synthesis to improve skeletal muscle function.

Rapamycin at high doses (2-10 mg/kg body weight) inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and protein synthesis in mice. In contrast, low doses of rapamycin (10 µg/kg) increase mTORC1 activity and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. Similar changes are found with SLF (synthetic ligand for FKBP12, which does not inhibit mTORC1) and in mice with a skeletal muscle-specific FKBP12 deficiency. These interventions also increase Ca(2+) influx to enhance refilling of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores, slow muscle fatigue, and increase running endurance without negatively impacting cardiac function. FKBP12 deficiency or longer treatments with low dose rapamycin or SLF increase the percentage of type I fibers, further adding to fatigue resistance. We demonstrate that FKBP12 and its ligands impact multiple aspects of muscle function.