Protein metabolism in ovine primary muscle cultures derived from satellite cells--effects of selected peptide hormones and growth factors.

Methods were developed for the isolation and culture of satellite cells from adult sheep muscle. Differentiated cultures of these cells were used to investigate the effects of four hormones and growth factors on protein synthesis and degradation. Insulin was found to have no effect except at supraphysiological concentrations (100 nmol/l and 1 mumol/l) where it is probably crossreacting with the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) type-I receptor. IGF-I was found to be anabolic at lower concentrations (1-3 nmol/l). Epidermal growth factor (EGF) had a smaller effect on protein synthesis and degradation than insulin or IGF-I. The specific activity of the muscle-specific enzyme creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was increased by treatment with EGF. When both IGF-I and EGF were present in the test media an additive effect on protein synthesis was observed. However, no additive effect of IGF-I and insulin was noted. No effects of bovine GH were seen.