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Summary The transcription factor EB (TFEB) is an essential component of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy for the adaptive response to food deprivation. To address the physiological function of TFEB in skeletal muscle, we have used muscle-specific gain- and loss-of-function approaches. Here, we show that TFEB controls metabolic flexibility in muscle during exercise and that this action is independent of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator1α (PGC1α). Indeed, TFEB translocates into the myonuclei during physical activity and regulates glucose uptake and glycogen content by controlling expression of glucose transporters, glycolytic enzymes, and pathways related to glucose homeostasis. In addition, TFEB induces the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. This coordinated action optimizes mitochondrial substrate utilization, thus enhancing ATP production and exercise capacity. These findings identify TFEB as a critical mediator of the beneficial effects of exercise on metabolism., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • TFEB regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and function in muscle • Glucose homeostasis in skeletal muscle requires TFEB • The effects of TFEB on muscle metabolism are independent from PGC1α • TFEB coordinates metabolic flexibility during physical exercise, Mansueto et al. show that TFEB acts as a central coordinator of skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, lipid oxidation, and mitochondrial function in the adaptive metabolic response to physical exercise in a PGC1α-independent manner.

SummaryS6 kinase (S6K) deletion in metazoans causes small cell size, insulin hypersensitivity, and metabolic adaptations; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. Here we show that S6K-deficient skeletal muscle cells have increased AMP and inorganic phosphate levels relative to ATP and phosphocreatine, causing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) upregulation. Energy stress and muscle cell atrophy are specifically triggered by the S6K1 deletion, independent of S6K2 activity. Two known AMPK-dependent functions, mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation, are upregulated in S6K-deficient muscle cells, leading to a sharp depletion of lipid content, while glycogen stores are spared. Strikingly, AMPK inhibition in S6K-deficient cells restores cell growth and sensitivity to nutrient signals. These data indicate that S6K1 controls the energy state of the cell and the AMPK-dependent metabolic program, providing a mechanism for cell mass accumulation under high-calorie diet.

Summary Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs during aging, but its impact on tissue senescence is unknown. Here, we find that sedentary but not active humans display an age-related decline in the mitochondrial protein, optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), that is associated with muscle loss. In adult mice, acute, muscle-specific deletion of Opa1 induces a precocious senescence phenotype and premature death. Conditional and inducible Opa1 deletion alters mitochondrial morphology and function but not DNA content. Mechanistically, the ablation of Opa1 leads to ER stress, which signals via the unfolded protein response (UPR) and FoxOs, inducing a catabolic program of muscle loss and systemic aging. Pharmacological inhibition of ER stress or muscle-specific deletion of FGF21 compensates for the loss of Opa1, restoring a normal metabolic state and preventing muscle atrophy and premature death. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunction in the muscle can trigger a cascade of signaling initiated at the ER that systemically affects general metabolism and aging., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • OPA1 is a physical activity sensor that is downregulated during aging sarcopenia • Muscle OPA1 controls general metabolism and epithelial senescence via FGF21 • Inhibition of muscle OPA1 induces a systemic pro-inflammatory status • OPA1 controls protein breakdown/synthesis, muscle stem cells and fiber innervation, Aging has been reported to be accompanied by changes in mitochondrial dynamics, but the impact on tissue senescence is unknown. Tezze et al. show that deletion of Opa1 impacts muscle mass, metabolic homeostasis, systemic inflammation, and epithelial senescence and identify FGF21 as the culprit of precocious aging and premature death.

SummaryThe ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy-lysosome pathways are the two major routes for protein and organelle clearance. In skeletal muscle, both systems are under FoxO regulation and their excessive activation induces severe muscle loss. Although altered autophagy has been observed in various myopathies, the specific role of autophagy in skeletal muscle has not been determined by loss-of-function approaches. Here, we report that muscle-specific deletion of a crucial autophagy gene, Atg7, resulted in profound muscle atrophy and age-dependent decrease in force. Atg7 null muscles showed accumulation of abnormal mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticulum distension, disorganization of sarcomere, and formation of aberrant concentric membranous structures. Autophagy inhibition exacerbated muscle loss during denervation and fasting. Thus, autophagy flux is important to preserve muscle mass and to maintain myofiber integrity. Our results suggest that inhibition/alteration of autophagy can contribute to myofiber degeneration and weakness in muscle disorders characterized by accumulation of abnormal mitochondria and inclusions.

SummaryThe antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is a critical player of the antioxidative defense whose activity is altered in several chronic diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, how oxidative insult affects muscle homeostasis remains unclear. This study addresses the role of oxidative stress on muscle homeostasis and function by the generation of a transgenic mouse model expressing a mutant SOD1 gene (SOD1G93A) selectively in skeletal muscle. Transgenic mice developed progressive muscle atrophy, associated with a significant reduction in muscle strength, alterations in the contractile apparatus, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The analysis of molecular pathways associated with muscle atrophy revealed that accumulation of oxidative stress served as signaling molecules to initiate autophagy, one of the major intracellular degradation mechanisms. These data demonstrate that skeletal muscle is a primary target of SOD1G93A -mediated toxicity and disclose the molecular mechanism whereby oxidative stress triggers muscle atrophy.

SummaryAutophagy allows cell survival during starvation through the bulk degradation of proteins and organelles by lysosomal enzymes. However, the mechanisms responsible for the induction and regulation of the autophagy program are poorly understood. Here we show that the FoxO3 transcription factor, which plays a critical role in muscle atrophy, is necessary and sufficient for the induction of autophagy in skeletal muscle in vivo. Akt/PKB activation blocks FoxO3 activation and autophagy, and this effect is not prevented by rapamycin. FoxO3 controls the transcription of autophagy-related genes, including LC3 and Bnip3, and Bnip3 appears to mediate the effect of FoxO3 on autophagy. This effect is not prevented by proteasome inhibitors. Thus, FoxO3 controls the two major systems of protein breakdown in skeletal muscle, the ubiquitin-proteasomal and autophagic/lysosomal pathways, independently. These findings point to FoxO3 and Bnip3 as potential therapeutic targets in muscle wasting disorders and other degenerative and neoplastic diseases in which autophagy is involved.

SummaryMuscle atrophy occurs in many pathological states and results primarily from accelerated protein degradation and activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. However, the importance of lysosomes in muscle atrophy has received little attention. Activation of FoxO transcription factors is essential for the atrophy induced by denervation or fasting, and activated FoxO3 by itself causes marked atrophy of muscles and myotubes. Here, we report that FoxO3 does so by stimulating overall protein degradation and coordinately activating both lysosomal and proteasomal pathways. Surprisingly, in C2C12 myotubes, most of this increased proteolysis is mediated by lysosomes. Activated FoxO3 stimulates lysosomal proteolysis in muscle (and other cell types) by activating autophagy. FoxO3 also induces the expression of many autophagy-related genes, which are induced similarly in mouse muscles atrophying due to denervation or fasting. These studies indicate that decreased IGF-1-PI3K-Akt signaling activates autophagy not only through mTOR but also more slowly by a transcription-dependent mechanism involving FoxO3.