CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta is expressed in satellite cells and controls myogenesis

Upon injury, muscle satellite cells become activated and produce skeletal muscle precursors that engage in myogenesis. We demonstrate that the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) is expressed in the satellite cells of healthy muscle. C/EBPβ expression is regulated during myogenesis such that C/EBPβ is rapidly and massively downregulated upon induction to differentiate. Furthermore, persistent expression of C/EBPβ in myoblasts potently inhibits differentiation at least in part through the inhibition of MyoD protein function and stability. As a consequence, myogenic factor expression, myosin heavy chain expression, and fusogenic activity were reduced in C/EBPβ-overexpressing cells. Using knockout models, we demonstrate that loss of Cebpb expression in satellite cells results in precocious differentiation of myoblasts in growth conditions and greater cell fusion upon differentiation. In vivo, loss of Cebpb expression in satellite cells resulted in larger muscle fiber cross-sectional area and improved repair after muscle injury. Our results support the notion that C/EBPβ inhibits myogenic differentiation and that its levels must be reduced to allow for activation of MyoD target genes and the progression of differentiation.