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Biochemistry of Anterior, Medial, and Posterior Genioglossus Muscle in the Rat

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Abstract

The tongue plays a vital role in swallowing actions. However, tongue muscles have been understudied, and it is unclear if tongue muscles are homogeneous with respect to muscle fiber-type distribution. We examined myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition of anterior, medial, and posterior sections of the genioglossus muscle (GG) using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in ten adult (9 months old) male Fischer 344/Brown Norway hybrid rats. We found that Type IIx MHC predominated in the anterior, medial, and posterior regions of the GG muscle (p = 0.002), followed by IIa, then IIb. The anterior GG contained a significantly greater (p = 0.004) proportion of Type IIa than did the medial or posterior regions, while the posterior GG contained a significantly greater (p = 0.002) proportion of Type IIb MHC than did the medial or anterior GG. Accordingly, we found variable expression of MHC isoforms across anterior, medial, and posterior portions of the GG muscle, with more fast-contracting isoforms found posteriorly. Because motor control of the tongue requires precise and rapid movements for bolus manipulation and airway protection, variable expression of MHC isoforms along the anteroposterior axis of the GG muscle may be required to efficiently achieve deglutition and maintenance of airway patency.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the laboratory of Dr. Richard Moss, in particular, Dr. Daniel P. Fitzsimons, for advising them on the SDS-PAGE methods. The help of Jessica Tiede is also gratefully acknowledged. This work was funded by a grant from the NIDCD (R01 DC005935).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Lana M. Volz BS, Laura B. Mann BS, John A. Russell MS, Michelle A. Jackson BS, Glen E. Leverson PhD & Nadine P. Connor PhD

  2. Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    Nadine P. Connor PhD

  3. Clinical Science Center K4/711, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792-7375, USA

    Nadine P. Connor PhD

Authors
  1. Lana M. Volz BS
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  2. Laura B. Mann BS
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  3. John A. Russell MS
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  4. Michelle A. Jackson BS
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  5. Glen E. Leverson PhD
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  6. Nadine P. Connor PhD
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Correspondence to Nadine P. Connor PhD.

Additional information

This work was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Deafness & Other Communication Disorders (R01 DC005935) and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

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Volz, L.M., Mann, L.B., Russell, J.A. et al. Biochemistry of Anterior, Medial, and Posterior Genioglossus Muscle in the Rat. Dysphagia 22, 210–214 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-006-9075-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-006-9075-y

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