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Updated: May 12, 2026

Preparation of Primary Myogenic Precursor Cell/Myoblast Cultures from Basal Vertebrate Lineages
Published on: April 30, 2014
Laminin binds to myostatin and attenuates its signaling
Naofumi Yasaka1, Keisuke Suzuki, Yasuhiro Kishioka
1Meat Science Laboratory, Division of Bioresources and Bioproduction, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Abstract:
Myostatin is a growth and differentiation factor and acts as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Although the mechanism whereby myostatin controls muscle cell growth is mostly clarified, the regulation of myostatin activity after its secretion into the extracellular matrix (ECM) is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between laminin and myostatin and the effect of laminin on myostatin signaling in vitro. The surface plasmon resonance assay showed that laminin bound to mature myostatin and activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB), but did not bind to latency-associated protein, which remains non-covalently linked to mature myostatin. Furthermore, kinetic analysis demonstrated that the affinity of mature myostatin for laminin was similar to that for ActRIIB. Next, we examined the action of laminin on the myostatin signaling pathway using a conventional reporter assay. The luciferase activity of myostatin-treated cells was repressed significantly (P < 0.05) by coincubation of laminin. These results suggest that laminin has a potential to regulate myostatin activity through binding to mature myostatin and/or its receptor ActRIIB.
Insights
Laminin binds to myostatin and its receptor, activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB). This interaction inhibits myostatin signaling, suggesting laminin regulates skeletal muscle mass.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Myostatin is a key negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass.
- The extracellular regulation of myostatin activity remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between laminin and myostatin.
- To determine the effect of laminin on myostatin signaling in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Surface plasmon resonance assay to assess binding kinetics.
- Reporter assay to evaluate myostatin signaling pathway activity.
Main Results:
- Laminin directly binds to mature myostatin and activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB).
- Laminin's affinity for myostatin is comparable to ActRIIB's.
- Laminin significantly represses myostatin-induced signaling.
Conclusions:
- Laminin modulates myostatin activity by interacting with myostatin and/or ActRIIB.
- Laminin shows potential as a regulator of skeletal muscle mass.
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