Single-nucleus transcriptomics reveals functional compartmentalization in syncytial skeletal muscle cells

Item Type:

Preprint

Title:

Creators Name:

Kim, M. and Franke, V. and Brandt, B. and Spuler, S. and Akalin, A. and Birchmeier, C.

Abstract:

All cells must compartmentalize their intracellular space in order to properly function. Syncytial cells face an additional challenge to this fundamental problem, which is to coordinate gene expression programs among many nuclei. Using the skeletal muscle fiber as a model, we systematically investigated the functional heterogeneity among nuclei inside a syncytium. We performed single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) of isolated myonuclei from uninjured and regenerating muscle, which revealed a remarkable and dynamic heterogeneity. We identified distinct nuclear subtypes unrelated to fiber type diversity, completely novel subtypes as well as the expected neuromuscular and myotendinous junction subtypes. snRNAseq of fibers from the Mdx dystrophy mouse model uncovered additional nuclear populations. Specifically, we identified the molecular signature of degenerating fibers and found a nuclear population that expressed genes implicated in myofiber repair. We confirmed the existence of this population in patients with muscular dystrophy. Finally, modifications of our approach revealed an astonishing compartmentalization inside the rare and specialized muscle spindle fibers. In summary, our work shows how regional transcription shapes the architecture of multinucleated syncytial muscle cells, and provides an unprecedented roadmap to molecularly dissect distinct compartments of the muscle.

Keywords:

Animals, Mice

Source:

bioRxiv

Title of Book:

Single-nucleus transcriptomics reveals functional compartmentalization in syncytial skeletal muscle cells

Publisher:

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press

Article Number:

2020.04.14.041665

Date:

15 April 2020

Official Publication:

https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.14.041665

Related to:

URL	URL Type
https://edoc.mdc-berlin.de/19601/	Final version

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