Investigation of the expression and localization of glucose transporter 4 and fatty acid translocase/CD36 in equine skeletal muscle

K.G. van Dam, E. van Breda, G. Schaart, M.M. van Ginneken, I.D. Wijnberg, E. de Graaf-Roelfsema, J.H. van der Kolk, H.A. Keizer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Investigation of the expression and localization of glucose transporter 4 and fatty acid translocase/CD36 in equine skeletal muscle.

van Dam KG, van Breda E, Schaart G, van Ginneken MM, Wijnberg ID, de Graaf-Roelfsema E, van der Kolk JH, Keizer HA.

Department of Equine Sciences (Medicine Section), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 16, NL-3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and localization of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) in equine skeletal muscle. SAMPLE POPULATION: Muscle biopsy specimens obtained from 5 healthy Dutch Warmblood horses. PROCEDURES: Percutaneous biopsy specimens were obtained from the vastus lateralis, pectoralis descendens, and triceps brachii muscles. Cryosections were stained with combinations of GLUT4 and myosin heavy chain (MHC) specific antibodies or FAT/CD36 and MHC antibodies to assess the fiber specific expression of GLUT4 and FAT/CD36 in equine skeletal muscle via indirect immunofluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: Immunofluorescent staining revealed that GLUT4 was predominantly expressed in the cytosol of fast type 2B fibers of equine skeletal muscle, although several type 1 fibers in the vastus lateralis muscle were positive for GLUT4. In all muscle fibers examined microscopically, FAT/CD36 was strongly expressed in the sarcolemma and capillaries. Type 1 muscle fibers also expressed small intracellular amounts of FAT/CD36, but no intracellular FAT/CD36 expression was detected in type 2 fibers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In equine skeletal muscle, GLUT4 and FAT/CD36 are expressed in a fiber type selective manner.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)951-956
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume65
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2004

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