title: Transforming growth factor-beta and myostatin signaling in skeletal muscle.
abstract: The superfamily of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) cytokines has been shown to have profound effects on cellular proliferation, differentiation, and growth. Recently, there have been major advances in our understanding of the signaling pathway(s) conveying TGF-beta signals to the nucleus to ultimately control gene expression. One tissue that is potently influenced by TGF-beta superfamily signaling is skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle ontogeny and postnatal physiology have proven to be exquisitely sensitive to the TGF-beta superfamily cytokine milieu in various animal systems from mice to humans. Recently, major strides have been made in understanding the role of TGF-beta and its closely related family member, myostatin, in these processes. In this overview, we will review recent advances in our understanding of the TGF-beta and myostatin signaling pathways and, in particular, focus on the implications of this signaling pathway for skeletal muscle development, physiology, and pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Helen D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kollias
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McDermott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D024510:Muscle Development; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D055435:Myostatin; D012038:Regeneration; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C525911:MSTN protein, human; C525912:Mstn protein, mouse; D055435:Myostatin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta