Browsing by Author "Brown, Michael D"

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    Skeletal muscle LINE-1 ORF1 mRNA is higher in older humans but decreases with endurance exercise and is negatively associated with higher physical activity
    (Journal of Applied Physiology, 2019-10-01) Roberson, Paul A; Romero, Matthew A; Osburn, Shelby C; Mumford, Petey W; Vann, Christopher G; Fox, Carlton D; McCullough, Danielle J; Brown, Michael D; Roberts, Michael D
    The long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) is a retrotransposon that constitutes 17% of the human genome and is associated with various diseases and aging. Estimates suggest that ~100 L1 copies are capable of copying and pasting into other regions of the genome. Herein, we examined if skeletal muscle L1 markers are affected by aging or an acute bout of cycling exercise in humans. Apparently healthy younger (23 ± 3 y, n = 15) and older participants (58 ± 8 y, n = 15) donated a vastus lateralis biopsy before 1 h of cycling exercise (PRE) at ~70% of heart rate reserve. Second (2 h) and third (8 h) postexercise muscle biopsies were also obtained. L1 DNA and mRNA expression were quantified using three primer sets [5′ untranslated region (UTR), L1.3, and ORF1]. 5′UTR and L1.3 DNA methylation as well as ORF1 protein expression were also quantified. PRE 5′UTR, ORF1, or L1.3 DNA were not different between age groups ( P > 0.05). ORF1 mRNA was greater in older versus younger participants ( P = 0.014), and cycling lowered this marker at 2 h versus PRE ( P = 0.027). 5′UTR and L1.3 DNA methylation were higher in younger versus older participants ( P < 0.05). Accelerometry data collected during a 2-wk period before the exercise bout indicated higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels per day was associated with lower PRE ORF1 mRNA in all participants ( r = −0.398, P = 0.032). In summary, skeletal muscle ORF1 mRNA is higher in older apparently healthy humans, which may be related to lower DNA methylation patterns. ORF1 mRNA is also reduced with endurance exercise and is negatively associated with higher daily MVPA levels. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) gene is highly abundant in the genome and encodes for an autonomous retrotransposon, which is capable of copying and pasting itself into other portions of the genome. This is the first study in humans to demonstrate that certain aspects of skeletal muscle L1 activity are altered with aging. Additionally, this is the first study in humans to demonstrate that L1 ORF1 mRNA levels decrease after a bout of endurance exercise, regardless of age.
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    Skeletal muscle LINE-1 retrotransposon activity is upregulated in older versus younger rats
    (American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 2019-09-01) Mumford, Petey W; Romero, Matthew A; Osburn, Shelby C; Roberson, Paul A; Vann, Christopher G; Mobley, Christopher B; Brown, Michael D; Kavazis, Andreas N; Young, Kaelin C; Roberts, Michael D
    Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) is a retrotransposon capable of replicating and inserting LINE-1 copies into the genome. Others have reported skeletal muscle LINE-1 markers are higher in older versus younger mice, but data are lacking in other species. Herein, gastrocnemius muscle from male Fischer 344 rats that were 3, 12, and 24 mo old ( n = 9 per group) were analyzed for LINE-1 mRNA, DNA, promoter methylation and DNA accessibility. qPCR primers were designed for active (L1.3) and inactive (L1.Tot) LINE-1 elements as well as part of the ORF1 sequence. L1.3, L1.Tot, and ORF1 mRNAs were higher ( P < 0.05) in 12/24 versus 3-mo-old rats. L1.3 DNA was higher in the 24-mo-old rats versus other groups, and ORF1 DNA was greater in 12/24 versus 3-mo-old rats. ORF1 protein was higher in 12/24 versus 3-mo-old rats. RNA-sequencing indicated mRNAs related to DNA methylation ( Tet1) and histone acetylation ( Hdac2) were lower in 24 versus 3-mo-old rats. L1.3 DNA accessibility was higher in 24-mo-old versus 3-mo-old rats. No age-related differences in nuclear histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity existed, although nuclear DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity was lower in 12/24 versus 3-mo-old rats ( P < 0.05). In summary, markers of skeletal muscle LINE-1 activity increase across the age spectrum of rats, and this may be related to deficits in DNMT activity and/or increased LINE-1 DNA accessibility.