Phosphorylation of ERK and dystrophin S3059 protects against inflammation-associated C2C12 myotube atrophy

The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is a multiprotein structure required to maintain muscle fiber membrane integrity, transmit force by linking the actin cytoskeleton with the extracellular matrix, and maintain muscle homeostasis. Membrane localization of dystrophin is perturbed in muscles wasting as a consequence of cancer cachexia, tenotomy, and advanced aging, which are all associated with low level, chronic inflammation. Strategies to preserve dystrophin expression at the sarcolemma might therefore combat muscle wasting. Phosphorylation of dystrophin serine 3059 (S3059) enhances the interaction between dystrophin and β-dystroglycan. To test the contribution of amino acid phosphorylation to muscle fiber size changes, dystrophin constructs with phospho-null and phosphomimetic mutations were transfected into C2C12 muscle cells or AAV-293 cells in the presence or absence of kinase inhibitors/activators to assess effects on myotube diameter and protein function. Overexpression of a dystrophin construct with a phospho-null mutation at S3059 in vitro reduced myotube size in healthy C2C12 cells. Conversely overexpression of a phosphomimetic mutation at S3059 attenuated inflammation-induced myotube atrophy. Increased ERK activation by addition of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) also reduced inflammation-associated myotube atrophy and increased the interaction between dystrophin and β-dystroglycan. These findings demonstrate a link between increased ERK activation, dystrophin S3059 phosphorylation, stabilization of the DGC, and the regulation of muscle fiber size. Interventions that increase dystrophin S3059 phosphorylation to promote stronger binding of dystrophin to β-dystroglycan may have therapeutic potential for attenuation of inflammation-associated muscle wasting.