CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS Metabolomics-Assisted Proteomics Identifies Succinylation and SIRT5 as Important Regulators of Cardiac Function Using proteomic studies, scientists identified many cardiac proteins regulated by sirtuin 5 (SIRT5). Their data suggest that ECHA, a protein involved in fatty acid oxidation, is a major enzyme that is regulated by SIRT5 and affects heart function. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Isoproterenol Directs Hair Follicle-Associated Pluripotent (HAP) Stem Cells to Differentiate In Vitro to Cardiac Muscle Cells Which Can Be Induced to Form Beating Heart-Muscle Tissue Sheets Investigators observed that isoproterenol directs HAP stem cells to differentiate to cardiac muscle cells in large numbers in culture compared to HAP stem cells not supplemented with isoproterenol. [Cell Cycle] Abstract | Press Release SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS The Fine Tuning of Metabolism, Autophagy and Differentiation during In Vitro Myogenesis Researchers showed that increased mitochondrial biogenesis and activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 inactivation-independent basal autophagy characterized the conversion of myoblasts into myotubes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Electrospun Nanoyarn Seeded with Myoblasts Induced from Placental Stem Cells for the Application of Stress Urinary Incontinence Sling: An In Vitro Study Scientists fabricated a novel electrospun nanoyarn using dynamic liquid electrospinning technique. The nanoyarn was seeded with myoblasts differentiated from placental stem cells to evaluate the feasibility of the cell-scaffold construct as a tissue engineering sling to treat stress urinary incontinence. [Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces] Abstract Myosin Heavy Chain Is Stabilized by BCL-2 Interacting Cell Death Suppressor (BIS) in Skeletal Muscle Investigators showed that mRNA and protein levels of BIS were markedly increased during skeletal myogenesis in C2C12 cells and mouse satellite cells. BIS knockdown did not prevent the early stage of skeletal myogenesis, but did induce muscle atrophy and a decrease in the diameter of myotubes. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS Functional Characterization of Orbicularis Oculi and Extraocular Muscles Researchers investigated human orbicularis oculi muscles and find that they are functionally more similar to quadriceps than to extraocular muscles in terms of excitation–contraction coupling components. They highlight the notion that myotubes obtained by explanting satellite cells from different muscles are not functionally identical and retain the physiological characteristics of their muscle of origin. [J Gen Physiol] Abstract | Press Release Cross-Talk between Macrophages and Smooth Muscle Cells Impairs Collagen and Metalloprotease Synthesis and Promotes Angiogenesis Scientists investigated whether smooth muscle cell-macrophage communication induces changes in extracellular matrix protein composition and/or neo-angiogenesis. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract Acute Administration of Ivacaftor to People with Cystic Fibrosis and a G551D-CFTR Mutation Reveals Smooth Muscle Abnormalities Researchers hypothesized that restoring cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity would decrease smooth muscle tone in people with CF. [JCI Insight] Full Article | Press Release |