Innovations in Molecular Biotechnology

ABSTRACT

Calcium ion (Ca²?) cycling within the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is a tightly controlled process that involves the coordinated actions of ryanodine receptors (RyRs), which mediate calcium release, and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²?-ATPase (SERCA) pumps, which facilitate calcium reuptake. In skeletal muscle, RyR1 serves as a key calcium release channel, playing a central role in excitation– contraction (EC) coupling-the mechanism by which an electrical signal at the muscle membrane leads to muscle contraction. Among the muscles examined, the tibialis anterior (TA)-the largest muscle in the leg’s anterior compartment-primarily enables foot dorsiflexion and inversion. Nearby, the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), a long muscle extending along the anterior leg, helps lift the foot and extend the toes. The trapezius, a large, superficial triangular muscle spanning the back and neck, contributes to head and shoulder movement. In our study, we confirmed the expression of the RYR1 gene in the TA, EDL, and trapezius muscles of rabbits. Comparative analysis revealed that the trapezius muscle exhibited the highest levels of RYR1 expression, while the tibialis anterior showed the lowest. These findings were obtained using real-time PCR and further validated through agarose gel electrophoresis.

KEYWORDS

1. SERCA1
2. Tibialis anterior
3. Extensor digitorum longus
4. Soleus
5. Trapezius
6. Gastrocnemius muscle
7. Ventricle
8. Gene expression
9. RT-PCR