The effects of dexamethasone on myoblast and myotube proteomes

Abstract

Stem cells research has the potential of leading to improved therapies for diseases such as myscular dystrophy. The effects of dexamethasoneon C2C12 mouse myoblast (muscle stem cells) and myotube formation was studied in order to understand the role of glucocorticoids in myogenesis. C2C12 mouse myoblst cells were grown in culture with 10% FBS media being to maintain, and 1% FBS used to control differentiation (myogenesis). A media of 1% FBS/dexamethasone was used to test the effects of glucocorticoids on myogenesis. The proteins from the C2C12 cells were analyzed using two-dimensionalgel electrophoresis (2DGE). Previous studies indicate that dexamethasone effects the growth of C2C12 cells by either increasing myotube formation after differentiation or by reducing differentiation. This study identifies changes in the proteome in response to dexamethasone. Based on the protein maps of C2C12 cells after differentiation, expression of specific proteins are observed. These proteins are potentially important in bringing about the change in cellular state necessary for myogenesis. Future work will include the sequencing of proteins and the specific identification of function.