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The cytoplasmic [ATP] in human type IIX fibres has been shown to decline from 8 mM to ∼1 mM during a 25 s bout of maximal cycling exercise1, with total power output decreasing ∼50%. Using a recently developed TBQ-BAPTA assay2, we specifically examined whether action potential (AP)-mediated Ca2+ was reduced by low [ATP] and by raised free [Mg2+] in the cytoplasm, to determine if this could cause reduced force output.
Long-Evans hooded rats were killed under deep anaesthesia (2% v:v fluothane), EDL muscles excised, single fibres mechanically skinned, connected to a force transducer and electrically stimulated (2 ms, 75 V cm-1 pulse) to produce twitch or tetanic (50 Hz) force responses. The K+-HDTA bathing solution (containing 1 mM free Mg2+ and 8 mM total ATP) was altered appropriately (e.g. adding various [BAPTA]-50 m M TBQ and/or raised [Mg2+], lowered [ATP] or adenosine).
TBQ-BAPTA assays revealed that AP-mediated Ca2+ release was significantly (P<0.05) reduced when: 1) [ATP] was lowered to 1 or 0.5 mM (86±4%; n=6, and 80±2%; n=21, control levels respectively), 2) free [Mg2+] was raised to 3 mM (62±4%; n=4), and 3) adenosine (4 mM) and 1 mM ATP was present (54±4%; n=6).
These data suggest that: 1) ATP must be bound to the stimulatory site on ryanodine receptors for the dihydropyridine receptors (DHPR) to potently trigger Ca2+ release, 2) elevated free [Mg2+] reduces DHPR-mediated Ca2+ release, and 3) weak ATP agonists such as AMP, ADP and adenosine exacerbate the reduction in Ca2+ release. Thus, these factors may underlie the reduction in Ca2+ release occurring during fatigue in type IIX fibres. Terminating Ca2+ release may help prevent complete exhaustion of ATP and the cellular damage that would ensue.
(1) Karatzaferi, C., de Haan, A., Ferguson, R.A., van Mechelen, W. & Sargent, A.J.(2001) Pflügers Archiv 442: 467-474.
(2) Posterino, G.S. & Lamb, G.D. (2003) Journal of Physiology 551.1: 219-237.