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Myostatin: Basic biology to clinical application

Pasquale Esposito1, Daniela Picciotto1, Yuri Battaglia2

  • 1Clinica Nefrologica, Dialisi, Trapianto, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.

Advances in Clinical Chemistry
|February 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Myostatin, a protein limiting muscle growth, is a therapeutic target for muscle wasting. Research explores its broader roles in obesity, cardiovascular, and kidney diseases, alongside inhibition strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Myostatin, a TGF-β superfamily member, regulates skeletal muscle mass by limiting growth and promoting protein breakdown.
  • Its expression and activity are controlled by complex transcriptional, epigenetic, and extracellular binding protein mechanisms.
  • Myostatin's role in muscle atrophy and cachexia makes it a therapeutic target for muscle-wasting conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review myostatin biology, including its regulatory pathways.
  • To discuss the evidence for myostatin's extra-muscular effects in various physiological and pathological processes.
  • To examine therapeutic strategies targeting myostatin inhibition.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of myostatin biology and its regulatory pathways.
  • Analysis of experimental and clinical evidence on myostatin's role beyond skeletal muscle.
  • Evaluation of current and past clinical trials for myostatin inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • Myostatin influences skeletal muscle growth, aging, obesity, insulin resistance, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney disease.
  • Various strategies to inhibit myostatin have been developed and tested in clinical trials.
  • Evidence supports myostatin's significant role in diverse physiological and pathological processes.

Conclusions:

  • Myostatin is a key regulator of muscle mass with implications for numerous diseases.
  • Inhibiting myostatin presents therapeutic potential but requires careful consideration of its multifaceted roles.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand and harness myostatin's therapeutic potential.
Keywords:
Activin receptorsAtherosclerosisCachexiaChronic kidney diseaseFollistatinHeart failureInsulin resistanceMyostatinMyostatin inhibitionSarcopenia

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