Myostatin: a therapeutic target for skeletal muscle wasting.
OBJECTIVE
This review discusses recent developments in myostatin research, focusing on the basic actions of myostatin on skeletal muscle, the identification of key regulatory elements of the myostatin pathway, and the promise of myostatin as a therapeutic target in muscle-related disorders.


RESULTS
In addition to a well-characterized role in muscle development, recent research advances have solidified the importance of myostatin in adult muscle, although questions remain. A number of possible regulatory proteins for myostatin have been identified, showing a complex picture of myostatin regulation that requires clarification. The identification of an antimyostatin monoclonal antibody (JA16) shows the promise of myostatin as a target for muscle-wasting disorders; the antibody has already been shown to increase muscle mass in healthy older mice and muscle function in postnatal mdx mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Since its discovery in 1997, myostatin has quickly been established as a key regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Recent developments strengthen the idea that myostatin will be an important therapeutic target for muscle-wasting-related disorders, and as more details of myostatin regulation and its mechanisms of action are clarified, myostatin will continue to dominate the skeletal muscle development and muscle-wasting literature.
Roth
Stephen M
SM
Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA. sroth1@umd.edu
Walsh
Sean
S
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055435:Myostatin; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C525911:MSTN protein, human; C525912:Mstn protein, mouse; D055435:Myostatin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta