The currents recorded and identified in this study as TMEM16A-mediated were characterized by voltage-dependency, Cl
- permeability and sensitivity to specific TMEM16A blockers. The currents were predominantly carried by Cl
- as confirmed by amplitude reduction and shift of the reversal potential towards more positive values in the case of partial replacement of Cl
- in the extracellular medium. Besides this, the observed outward rectifying features of the measured currents, was consistent with the higher intracellular Ca
2+ affinity at positive voltages, typical of the TMEM16A currents reported in other cell types [
18]. Lastly, the currents were significantly reduced by the specific TMEM16A blockers Ani9 and T16inh-A01 respectively [
19,
33,
34,
35], albeit by possibly different mechanisms, as evidenced by the different voltage-sensitivity of the blocking effects. So far, the TMEM16A channels have been reported to be expressed mostly intracellularly in undifferentiated myoblasts in mammals. Only in fully differentiated skeletal muscle cells, TMEM16A channels have been described at the sarcolemma level [
22]. In this work, using the patch-clamp technique, we demonstrated the presence of functional TMEM16A channels in mouse myocytes,
i.e. in differentiated mononucleated fusion-competent cells. Our findings thus indicate a possible role for TMEM16A currents starting from the early phase of myogenesis. Accordingly, the fusion index of myoblasts into myotubes was impaired by the specific TMEM16A antagonist Ani9 revealing a role of Ca
2+- dependent Cl
- channels in the cell fusion process. It must be pointed out that the efficacious Ani-9 concentration on TMEM16A-mediated currents (1 µM) was lower comparing to that affecting the fusion index (5 µM). The electrophysiological recordings were performed in a saline solution whereas the fusion index was assessed in a culture medium. In the latter condition, interactions of the antagonist with serum proteins could occur influencing its pharmacological effect
. Thus, the apparent discrepancy could be the result of different experimental conditions. Biophysical forces, as for example shear stress imposed on the extracellular matrix, are continuously exerted on membrane surfaces and are known to influence biological responses such as gene expression regulation. In skeletal muscle, the mechanical stress is known to promote satellite cell proliferation [
36] and skeletal muscle regeneration [
24,
37,
38]. We have recently demonstrated the presence of the Ca
2+-permeable mechanically-activated Piezo1 channels in myogenic precursors
in vitro [
23,
24]. The expression of both TMEM16A and Piezo1 channel proteins was demonstrated by Western blotting as well as the positive modulatory effect of the Piezo1 channel agonist Yoda1 on TMEM16A currents. Considering the specific Yoda1 selectivity [
39,
40], a novel functional interaction between Piezo1 and TMEM16A channels in the myotube formation seems to emerge from our observations. If this hypothesis was correct, the intracellular Ca
2+ increase induced by the activation of Piezo1 channels could promote TMEM16A activity. This new intringuing aspect of the skeletal myogenesis deserves further investigation. Besides the role in regulating cell fusion, TMEM16A channels could control other aspects of the myocyte physiology. Myocytes are known to be characterized by a resting membrane potential more depolarized [
41,
42] before the expression of the inward-rectifying K
+ channels required for myocyte fusion [
43]. In any cell type, an increase in Cl
- conductance can lead to a cell depolarization or hyperpolarization depending on the [Cl
−]
i. Assuming a [Cl
−]
i of ~55 mM, as reported by direct measurements in myocytes [
44] and a [Cl
-]
e of ~160 mM as reported under physiological conditions [
45], a reversal potential of Cl
- currents can be estimated at ~ -27 mV. Thus, if the myocyte resting membrane potential is ~-40 mV, as measured in this study and by other groups [
43,
46,
47], the electrochemical gradient would suggest a depolarizing Cl
- efflux though TMEM16A channels
. Interestingly, a Cl
- efflux mediated by undefined CaCCs was already suggested in chick skeletal myoblasts in a previous study [
20]. Our results suggest TMEM16A as a new candidate in the control of chloride
homeostasis required to regulate membrane excitability and/or enzyme activity [
32]. In epithelial tissue, for instance, Cl
- homeostasis might even regulate molecular interactions among microdomains, proper phosphoinositide functions and signalling pathways responsible for the tissue stability [
48,
49]. Certainly, the characterization of the downstream molecular mechanism triggered by TMEM16A channel activity remains an open issue and merits further
ad hoc experiments in order to be clarified.
In conclusion, the identification of functional TMEM16A channels in myocytes represents an advance in the knowledge of the ion channels functionally expressed during skeletal myogenesis. Their contribution to the control of mouse myocyte fusion into myotubes indicates a role in the physiology of myogenic precursors in mammalian skeletal muscle. Moreover, the potential role of biomechanical forces on the control of TMEM16A currents mediated by Piezo1 channels offers new perspectives for understanding the mechano-regulation of skeletal myogenic precursors.