PGC-1α regulates the neuromuscular junction program and ameliorates Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The coactivator PGC-1 alpha mediates key responses of skeletal muscle to motor nerve activity. We show here that neuregulin-stimulated phosphorylation of PGC-1 alpha and GA-binding protein (GABP) allows recruitment of PGC-1 alpha to the GABP complex and enhances transcription of a broad neuromuscular junction gene program. Since a subset of genes controlled by PGC-1 alpha and GABP is dysregulated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), we examined the effects of transgenic PGC-1 alpha in muscle of mdx mice. These animals show improvement in parameters characteristic of DMD, including muscle histology, running performance, and plasma creatine kinase levels. Thus, control of PGC-1 alpha levels in skeletal muscle could represent a novel avenue to prevent or treat DMD.