Effects of β-adrenoceptor agonists on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) cultured muscle cells.

β-adrenoceptors are a subtype of G-protein coupled receptors whose activation leads to increased protein synthesis and decreased degradation in mammalian skeletal muscle, causing hypertrophy. In this study, we compared the effects of the classical β-agonist noradrenaline (NA) with two representatives of a new generation of agonists (formoterol, FOR and salmeterol, SALM) on growth and metabolism of primary cultured muscle cells of gilthead sea bream. Activation of signaling pathways, cell development and expression of relevant genes were analyzed in day 4 myocytes. The three agonists increased either cAMP levels or PKA phosphorylation, plus TOR phosphorylation, and the proportion of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells, in parallel with pcna mRNA levels. Thus, demonstrating that these cells are β-agonists-responsive, and supporting enhanced cell proliferation. The expression of the myogenic factor myf5 was significantly down-regulated, suggesting that the cells were already destined to the muscular linage; while insulin-like growth factors (igf-1 and igf-2) transcript levels were up-regulated, proposing an additional anabolic effect through their local production. Furthermore, SALM treatment up-regulated expression of the lipases (hsl and lipa) and the β-oxidation marker cpt1a, and all three agonists increased mitochondrial dehydrogenase hadh mRNA levels. These data correspond with a situation of enhanced lipolytic and β-oxidation capacity, a fact supported by the higher glycerol released into the media induced by the agonists. Overall, these results suggest a hyperplastic growth condition and a favorable protein/fat ratio profile upon these treatments; consequently, β-agonists (especially SALM) may be considered good candidates to optimize the growth in this aquaculture species.