Kissane, Roger WP 
ORCID: 0000-0001-9385-2584, Ghaffari-Rafi, Arash, Tickle, Peter G, Chakrabarty, Samit, Egginton, Stuart, Brownstone, Robert M and Smith, Calvin C
(2021)
C-bouton components on rat extensor digitorum longus motoneurons are resistant to chronic functional overload
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, 241 (5).
pp. 1157-1168.
ISSN 0021-8782, 1469-7580
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JANAT-2021-0055.R1_Proof_hi.pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Mammalian motor systems adapt to the demands of their environment. For example, muscle fibre types change in response to increased load or endurance demands. However, for adaptations to be effective, motoneurons must adapt such that their properties match those of the innervated muscle fibres. We used a rat model of chronic functional overload to assess adaptations to both motoneuron size and a key modulatory synapse responsible for amplification of motor output, C-boutons. Overload of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles was induced by removal of their synergists, tibialis anterior muscles. Following 21 days survival, EDL muscles showed an increase in fatigue resistance and a decrease in force output, indicating a shift to a slower phenotype. These changes were reflected by a decrease in motoneuron size. However, C-bouton complexes remained largely unaffected by overload. The C-boutons themselves, quantified by expression of vesicular acetylcholine transporter, were similar in size and density in the control and overload conditions. Expression of the post-synaptic voltage-gated potassium channel (K<inf>V</inf>2.1) was also unchanged. Small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK3) were expressed in most EDL motoneurons, despite this being an almost exclusively fast motor pool. Overload induced a decrease in the proportion of SK3+ cells, however, there was no change in density or size of clusters. We propose that reductions in motoneuron size may promote early recruitment of EDL motoneurons, but that C-bouton plasticity is not necessary to increase the force output required in response to muscle overload.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | C‐, bouton, K(V)2, 1, overload, plasticity, SK3, spinal cord |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 26 Mar 2021 08:20 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jun 2026 10:29 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/joa.13439 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3118144 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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