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First published online July 31, 2009
Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 2511-2519 (2009)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2009
doi: 10.1242/jeb.031369
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Masticatory (`superfast') myosin heavy chain and embryonic/atrial myosin light chain 1 in rodent jaw-closing muscles

Peter J. Reiser*, Sabahattin Bicer, Qun Chen, Ling Zhu and Ning Quan

Department of Oral Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: reiser.17{at}osu.edu)

Accepted 11 May 2009

Masticatory myosin is widely expressed among several vertebrate classes. Generally, the expression of masticatory myosin has been associated with high bite force for a carnivorous feeding style (including capturing/restraining live prey), breaking down tough plant material and defensive biting in different species. Masticatory myosin expression in the largest mammalian order, Rodentia, has not been reported. Several members of Rodentia consume large numbers of tree nuts that are encased in very hard shells, presumably requiring large forces to access the nutmeat. We, therefore, tested whether some rodent species express masticatory myosin in jaw-closing muscles. Myosin isoform expression in six Sciuridae species was examined, using protein gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, mass spectrometry and RNA analysis. The results indicate that masticatory myosin is expressed in some Sciuridae species but not in other closely related species with similar diets but having different nut-opening strategies. We also discovered that the myosin light chain 1 isoform associated with masticatory myosin heavy chain, in the same four Sciuridae species, is the embryonic/atrial isoform. We conclude that rodent speciation did not completely eliminate masticatory myosin and that its persistent expression in some rodent species might be related to not only diet but also to feeding style.

Key words: masticatory myosin, myosin heavy chain, myosin light chain, masseter, temporalis, rodents


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Related articles in JEB:

CARNIVORE'S MASTICATORY MYOSIN IN SQUIRREL JAWS
Kathryn Knight
JEB 2009 212: ii. [Full Text]  



This article has been cited by other articles:


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 J. Exp. Biol.Home page
K. Knight
CARNIVORE'S MASTICATORY MYOSIN IN SQUIRREL JAWS
J. Exp. Biol., August 15, 2009; 212(16): ii - ii.
[Full Text] [PDF]


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