TY - JOUR T1 - Methyl Jasmonate-Induced Stimulation of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca<sup>2+</sup>-ATPase Affects Contractile Responses in Rat Slow-Twitch Skeletal Muscle JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 638 LP - 646 DO - 10.1124/jpet.300.2.638 VL - 300 IS - 2 AU - Wissam H. Joumaa AU - Aicha Bouhlel AU - William Même AU - Claude Léoty Y1 - 2002/02/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/300/2/638.abstract N2 - The purpose of this study was to determine whether methyl jasmonate, a stimulator of Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of the purified ATPase from fast-twitch skeletal muscle, could affect contractile responses in small bundles of rat isolated slow-twitch (soleus) fibers. In saponin-skinned fibers, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ loading was performed in pCa 7.0 solution. The amount of Ca2+ taken up was monitored by use of the amplitude of contraction following application of 10 mM caffeine. Results indicate that the increased loading rate in the presence of methyl jasmonate is likely due to stimulation of the SR Ca2+-ATPase. In Triton-skinned fibers, the myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity was not changed by methyl jasmonate (50–200 μM). In intact fibers, the amplitude and the time constant of relaxation of twitch and potassium contracture were reversibly reduced after 2 min of application of methyl jasmonate at a concentration of up to 125 μM. At higher concentrations (&gt;150 μM), effects were not reversible. In the presence of methyl jasmonate (100 μM), the relationship between the amplitude of potassium contractures and the membrane potential shifted to more positive potentials, whereas the steady-state inactivation curve was unchanged. These observations suggest that methyl jasmonate has no effect on voltage sensors. Taken together, our results show that methyl jasmonate is a potent, reversible, and specific stimulator of the SR Ca2+ pump in slow-twitch skeletal muscle and is an extremely valuable pharmacological tool for improving relaxation and studying calcium-signaling questions. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics ER -