Phosphorylation of the sarcolemma of dystrophic and normal hamster muscle following denervation.

The rapid phosphorylation at 0 degree C of sarcolemma preparations of hamster leg muscle was compared with (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity in sham-operated and 7-day denervated muscle. The phosphorylation appeared to be under the trophic influence of the sciatic nerve since the denervated preparations exhibited a markedly reduced phosphorylation. In similar studies using dystrophic hamsters the sarcolemma preparations from sham-operated and denervated leg muscle both exhibited the same degree of phosphorylation.