Proteasomal activity in skeletal muscle: a matter of assay design, muscle type, and age

Anal Biochem. 2010 Apr 15;399(2):225-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2009.12.026. Epub 2009 Dec 23.

Abstract

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a major degradation system for regulatory and misfolded proteins. UPS function has been implicated to exert a central role in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. Because biochemical analyses are often hampered by the amount of available diseased tissue, we report on the establishment and validation of a luminescence-based proteasomal activity assay applicable to 5-mg quantities of skeletal muscle. We demonstrate that the specific proteasomal activity differs in individual muscle groups and decreases with aging. These findings warrant the use of appropriate controls and a careful interpretation of results in mammalian skeletal muscle pathologies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Muscle, Skeletal / enzymology*
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / chemistry
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism*

Substances

  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex