Characterization of fast-twitch and slow-twitch skeletal muscles of calsequestrin 2 (CASQ2)-knock out mice: unexpected adaptive changes of fast-twitch muscles only

This study investigates the functional role of calsequestrin 2 (CASQ2) in both fast-twitch and slow-twitch skeletal muscles by using CASQ2−/− mice; CASQ2 is expressed throughout life in slow-twitch muscles, but only in the developmental and neonatal stages in fast-twitch muscles. CASQ2−/− causes increase in calsequestrin 1 (CASQ1) expression, but without functional changes in both muscle types. CASQ2−/− mice have ultrastructural changes in fast-twitch muscles only, i.e., formation of pentads and stacks in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.