SLIT and NTRK-like family member 1 regulates muscle regeneration

Muscle satellite cells play a major role in skeletal muscle regeneration following skeletal muscle injury. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that coordinate the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of muscle satellite cells remains incomplete. SLIT and NTRK-like family member 1 (SLITRK1) is a transmembrane protein. We previously reported that Slitrk1 is involved in osteoblast differentiation. In contrast, the function of Slitrk1 in muscle, a closely related mesenchymal lineage, remains largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that muscle regeneration in Slitrk1-null mice is impaired following injury whereas Slitrk1-null mice exhibit no significant differences compared to wild-type mice in intact muscles. Furthermore, we revealed that deletion of Slitrk1 led to reduced cell proliferation and premature myogenic differentiation of muscle satellite cells ex vivo. Additionally, Slitrk1 deletion resulted in increased expression of RhoA, a small GTPase protein known to inhibit muscle fiber fusion. These findings suggest that Slitrk1 may play an important role in the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of muscle satellite cells.