PGC-1α is associated with C2C12 Myoblast differentiation

PGC-1 alpha has been implicated as an important mediator of functional capacity of skeletal muscle. However, the role of PGC-1 alpha in myoblast differentiation remains unexplored. In the present study, we observed a significant up-regulation of PGC-1 alpha expression during the differentiation of murine C2C12 myoblast. To understand the biological significance of PGC-1 alpha up-regulation in myoblast differentiation, C2C12 cells were transfected with murine PGC-1 alpha cDNA and siRNA targeting PGC-1 alpha, respectively. PGC-1 alpha over-expressing clones fused to form typical myotubes with higher mRNA level of myosin heavy chain isoform I (MyHCI) and lower MyHCIIX. No obvious differentiation was observed in PGC-1 alpha-targeted siRNA-transfected cells with marked decrement of mRNA levels of MyHCI and MyHCIIX. Furthermore, PGC-1 alpha increased the expression of MyoD and MyoG in C2C12 cells, which controlled the commitment of precursor cells to myotubes. These results indicate that PGC-1 alpha is associated with myoblast differentiation and elevates MyoD and MyoG expression levels in C2C12 cells.