title: Gene expression in response to muscle stretch.
abstract: In studying the way the musculoskeletal system adapts, it is important to consider how the different tissues interact with each other. During growth, and in response to changes in posture, the functional length of muscle is adjusted by altering the number of sarcomeres in series to the optimum for force generation and power output. In some cases, insufficient adaptation gives rise to problems such as muscle contracture. Stretch has marked effects on muscle mass with eccentric contraction being the most effective form of exercise for building muscles. As far as the mechanism is concerned, the current authors have cloned the deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) of a splice variant of the insulinlike growth factor gene that is produced by active muscle that seems to be the factor that controls local tissue repair, maintenance, and remodeling. This new growth factor has been called mechanogrowth factor to distinguish it from the liver insulin growth factors, which have a systemic mode of action. The discovery of the locally produced insulinlike growth factor seems to provide the link between the mechanical stimulus and the activation of gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Royal Free Campus, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, England, UK.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goldspink
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Hamish
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000235:genetics; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000235:genetics*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I