# MYOGENESIS SUBSEQUENT TO DENERVATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 1994 · $198,738

## Abstract

In vivo myogenesis occurs simultaneously with the development and
maturation of the nervous system.  Recently described techniques permit
experimental manipulation of mouse fetuses without interfering with fetal
viability and maturation.  These techniques will be applied to laser
ablate the spinal cords of young fetuses and to cut the sciatic nerves
of older fetuses, permitting the evaluation of the effects of denervation
(at various developmental periods) on the development and maturation of
mammalian myofibers.  Evaluation will be made with electron microscopy
and morphometry.  We also will evaluate the effect of fetal denervation
on the expression of muscle specific genes encoding the various myosin
and actin isoforms in mouse hindlimb muscles with in situ hybridization
and with immunohistochemistry, using an immunohistochemical technique
which will permit differentiation of isoforms present in primary versus
secondary myotubes.  The time course of expression of genes encoding the
fetal and adult forms of creatine kinase and the genes coding for the
various subunits of the acetylcholine receptor (both the fetal and adult
receptors) in innervated hindlimb muscles will be determined with in situ
hybridization.  We then will evaluate the effects of denervation on the
expression of these genes and the genes encoding the myogenic factors
MyoD1 and myogenin.  The proposed studies will allow us to assess the
effect of environment on the innate genetic program of developing muscle:
1) It will permit assessment of cell interactions and of how the neuron
may play a role in commitment, differentiation, or change the behavior
of muscle cells.  2) I will permit determination of the extent to which
nerve regulation is required for the maintenance of muscle phenotypes in
the course of development.  Information generated from the proposed
studies will increase our "...understanding of the cellular and molecular
processes involved in muscle development ..." and "... will be invaluable
in the design and implementation of techniques to repair muscles that are
damaged or nonfunctional due to genetic or environmental causes".

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199666
- **Project number:** 2R01HD025630-04A2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MKAGLD59JRL1
- **Principal Investigator:** Marcia R. Ontell
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $198,738
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1990-03-01 → 1999-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199666

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199666, MYOGENESIS SUBSEQUENT TO DENERVATION (2R01HD025630-04A2). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199666. Licensed CC0.

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