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Mice without myoglobin

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel J. Garry

    (Departments of Internal Medicine)

  • George A. Ordway

    (Departments of Physiology)

  • John N. Lorenz

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Nina B. Radford

    (Departments of Internal Medicine)

  • Eva R. Chin

    (Departments of Internal Medicine)

  • Robert W. Grange

    (Departments of Physiology)

  • Rhonda Bassel-Duby

    (Departments of Internal Medicine)

  • R. Sanders Williams

    (Departments of Internal Medicine
    University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Abstract

Myoglobin, an intracellular haemoprotein expressed in the heart and oxidative skeletal myofibres of vertebrates, binds molecular oxygen and may facilitate oxygen transport from erythrocytes to mitochondria, thereby maintaining cellular respiration during periods of high physiological demand1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Here we show, however, that mice without myoglobin, generated by gene-knockout technology, are fertile and exhibit normal exercise capacity and a normal ventilatory response to low oxygen levels (hypoxia). Heart and soleus muscles from these animals are depigmented, but function normally in standard assays of muscle performance invitro across a range of work conditions and oxygen availability. These data show that myoglobin is not required to meet the metabolic requirements of pregnancy or exercise in a terrestrial mammal, and raise new questions about oxygen transport and metabolic regulation in working muscles.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel J. Garry & George A. Ordway & John N. Lorenz & Nina B. Radford & Eva R. Chin & Robert W. Grange & Rhonda Bassel-Duby & R. Sanders Williams, 1998. "Mice without myoglobin," Nature, Nature, vol. 395(6705), pages 905-908, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:395:y:1998:i:6705:d:10.1038_27681
    DOI: 10.1038/27681
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