PCM1 labeling reveals myonuclear and nuclear dynamics in skeletal muscle across species

Myonuclei transcriptionally regulate muscle fibers during homeostasis and adaptation to exercise. Their subcellular location and quantity are important when characterizing phenotypes of myopathies, the effect of treatments, and understanding the roles of satellite cells in muscle adaptation and muscle “memory.” Difficulties arise in identifying myonuclei due to their proximity to the sarcolemma and closely residing interstitial cell neighbors. We aimed to determine to what extent (pericentriolar material-1) PCM1 is a specific marker of myonuclei in vitro and in vivo. Single isolated myofibers and cross sections from mice and humans were studied from several models including wild-type and Lamin A/C mutant mice after functional overload and damage and recovery in humans following forced eccentric contractions. Fibers were immunolabeled for PCM1, Pax7, and DNA. C2C12 myoblasts were also studied to investigate changes in PCM1 localization during myogenesis. PCM1 was detected at not only the nuclear envelope of myonuclei in mature myofibers and in newly formed myotubes but also centrosomes in proliferating myogenic precursors, which may or may not fuse to join the myofiber syncytium. PCM1 was also detected in nonmyogenic nuclei near the sarcolemma, especially in regenerating areas of the Lmna +/ΔK32 mouse and damaged human muscle. Although PCM1 is not completely specific to myonuclei, the impact that PCM1+ macrophages and interstitial cells have on myonuclei counts would be small in healthy muscle. PCM1 may prove useful as a marker of satellite cell dynamics due to the distinct change in localization during differentiation, revealing satellite cells in their quiescent (PCM1−), proliferating (PCM1+ centrosome), and prefusion states (PCM1+ nuclear envelope).