Mentor/s
Dr. Suzanne Deschenes
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
Myogenesis, the key process involved in the formation of muscle tissue, allows for locomotion in humans and many other organisms to occur (Kurosaka et al. 2016). Humans rely on muscle cell regeneration via myoblasts to maintain muscle mass, especially in the setting of acute muscle loss due to injury, or a chronic illness such as muscle dystrophy. Kurosaka et al. 2016, found that capsaicin, a chemical found in peppers, acts upon the transient receptor potential cation channel vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) pathway, which is involved in myogenesis. The experiment conducted will aim to 1) replicate previous capsaicin experiments performed in the aforementioned scientific study, and 2) investigate the effects of previously unexplored capsaicin analogs 6-gingerol and piperine on differentiation and proliferation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts. The experimental design includes the treatment of differentiated myoblasts with EtOH (negative control), capsaicin (positive control), 6-gingerol, and piperine. Relative proliferation rates will be determined by counting the number of cells present in each treatment group after 24 and 48 hours of treatment. Differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes will be assessed by measuring 1) myotube diameter, 2) number of nuclei/myotube, and 3) the fusion index (% nuclei in myotubes). Finally, we will use immunocytochemistry and Western blots to characterize the expression of myosin heavy chain, myogenin and MyoD, which are early markers of muscle cell differentiation.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building
Start Day/Time
4-29-2022 1:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-29-2022 4:00 PM
Myogenesis Stimulation in C2C12 Cells by Capsaicin
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building
Myogenesis, the key process involved in the formation of muscle tissue, allows for locomotion in humans and many other organisms to occur (Kurosaka et al. 2016). Humans rely on muscle cell regeneration via myoblasts to maintain muscle mass, especially in the setting of acute muscle loss due to injury, or a chronic illness such as muscle dystrophy. Kurosaka et al. 2016, found that capsaicin, a chemical found in peppers, acts upon the transient receptor potential cation channel vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) pathway, which is involved in myogenesis. The experiment conducted will aim to 1) replicate previous capsaicin experiments performed in the aforementioned scientific study, and 2) investigate the effects of previously unexplored capsaicin analogs 6-gingerol and piperine on differentiation and proliferation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts. The experimental design includes the treatment of differentiated myoblasts with EtOH (negative control), capsaicin (positive control), 6-gingerol, and piperine. Relative proliferation rates will be determined by counting the number of cells present in each treatment group after 24 and 48 hours of treatment. Differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes will be assessed by measuring 1) myotube diameter, 2) number of nuclei/myotube, and 3) the fusion index (% nuclei in myotubes). Finally, we will use immunocytochemistry and Western blots to characterize the expression of myosin heavy chain, myogenin and MyoD, which are early markers of muscle cell differentiation.
Students' Information
Jenifer Rodrigues- Major: Biology (Pre-Pharmacy Track), Minors: Chemistry and Spanish, Year of Graduation: 2022
Kendall Decker - Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology (Pre-Medical Track), Minors: Chemistry and Psychology, Year of Graduation: 2023
Brenna Regan - Major: Biology (Pre-Medical Track), Minors: Chemistry and Honors, Year of Graduation: 2023