The M-band: The underestimated part of the sarcomere

The sarcomere is the basic unit of the myofibrils, which mediate skeletal and cardiac Muscle contraction. Two transverse structures, the Z-disc and the M-band, anchor the thin (actin and associated proteins) and thick (myosin and associated proteins) filaments to the elastic filament system composed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research 2020-03, Vol.1867 (3), p.118440-118440, Article 118440
Main Authors: Lange, Stephan, Pinotsis, Nikos, Agarkova, Irina, Ehler, Elisabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actins - genetics
Cardiomyopathy
Clinical Medicine
Connectin - genetics
Cytoskeleton
Humans
Klinisk medicin
Muscle Contraction - genetics
Myofibrils - metabolism
Myomesin
Myosins - genetics
Obscurin
Sarcomere
Sarcomeres - genetics
Sarcomeres - metabolism
Serum Response Factor - genetics
Transcription, Genetic
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Summary:The sarcomere is the basic unit of the myofibrils, which mediate skeletal and cardiac Muscle contraction. Two transverse structures, the Z-disc and the M-band, anchor the thin (actin and associated proteins) and thick (myosin and associated proteins) filaments to the elastic filament system composed of titin. A plethora of proteins are known to be integral or associated proteins of the Z-disc and its structural and signalling role in muscle is better understood, while the molecular constituents of the M-band and its function are less well defined. Evidence discussed here suggests that the M-band is important for managing force imbalances during active muscle contraction. Its molecular composition is fine-tuned, especially as far as the structural linkers encoded by members of the myomesin family are concerned and depends on the specific mechanical characteristics of each particular muscle fibre type. Muscle activity signals from the M-band to the nucleus and affects transcription of sarcomeric genes, especially via serum response factor (SRF). Due to its important role as shock absorber in contracting muscle, the M-band is also more and more recognised as a contributor to muscle disease. •This article reviews the structure, composition and function of the M-band, the central structure of the sarcomere, the basic unit of a myofibril.•In addition, signalling pathways emanating from the M-band, which may affect protein turnover from triggering transcription (via SRF) to promoting degradation are discussed.•A particular strength of the review is the links that it provides throughout the text to disease.
ISSN:0167-4889
1879-2596
DOI:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.02.003