Structural Analysis of Heart and Skeletal Muscle in Genetically Altered Mice
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
9-4-2012 10:00 AM
End Date
9-4-2012 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Marilyn Hart
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Striated muscle, including heart and skeletal, is characterized by the precise alignment of the two prevalent muscle proteins, actin and myosin. Actin capping protein (CP) plays a significant role in the assembly of muscle fibers and contributes to maintaining the organization of the filaments. CP is a heterodimer composed of an alpha and beta subunit. In higher organisms, there are 3 isoforms of the alpha (α1, α2, α3) and 3 isoforms of the beta subunit (β1, β2, β3). The β1 is the predominate isoform of muscle tissue; β2 is the predominate isoform of non-muscle tissue. Dr. Marilyn Hart, Department of Biological Sciences, produced transgenic mice with a reduced amount of CPβ1. The hearts of the genetically altered mice had disorganized filaments and enlarged chamber walls. In this study, both skeletal and heart muscle of genetically altered and wildtype mice were compared to evaluate morphological differences. The skeletal and heart tissues of six month old mice were collected and fixed in formalin, dehydrated using a graded series of alcohol, exchanged with xylene, and imbedded with paraffin using an automated Leica Tissue Processor, TP1020. Sections (7-8 microns) were prepared using a microtone, collected on gelatin coated slides and stained with a biological differential stain, hemotoxilyn and eosin. We found that the skeletal and heart muscle were disorganized with altered periodicity and alignment of the filaments in the genetically altered mice relative to the wildtype.
Structural Analysis of Heart and Skeletal Muscle in Genetically Altered Mice
CSU Ballroom
Striated muscle, including heart and skeletal, is characterized by the precise alignment of the two prevalent muscle proteins, actin and myosin. Actin capping protein (CP) plays a significant role in the assembly of muscle fibers and contributes to maintaining the organization of the filaments. CP is a heterodimer composed of an alpha and beta subunit. In higher organisms, there are 3 isoforms of the alpha (α1, α2, α3) and 3 isoforms of the beta subunit (β1, β2, β3). The β1 is the predominate isoform of muscle tissue; β2 is the predominate isoform of non-muscle tissue. Dr. Marilyn Hart, Department of Biological Sciences, produced transgenic mice with a reduced amount of CPβ1. The hearts of the genetically altered mice had disorganized filaments and enlarged chamber walls. In this study, both skeletal and heart muscle of genetically altered and wildtype mice were compared to evaluate morphological differences. The skeletal and heart tissues of six month old mice were collected and fixed in formalin, dehydrated using a graded series of alcohol, exchanged with xylene, and imbedded with paraffin using an automated Leica Tissue Processor, TP1020. Sections (7-8 microns) were prepared using a microtone, collected on gelatin coated slides and stained with a biological differential stain, hemotoxilyn and eosin. We found that the skeletal and heart muscle were disorganized with altered periodicity and alignment of the filaments in the genetically altered mice relative to the wildtype.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Kelsey and Kelli Wilson. "Structural Analysis of Heart and Skeletal Muscle in Genetically Altered Mice." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 9, 2012.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2012/poster-session-A/10