title: Epigenetic regulation of satellite cell activation during muscle regeneration.
abstract: Satellite cells are a population of adult muscle stem cells that play a key role in mediating muscle regeneration. Activation of these quiescent stem cells in response to muscle injury involves modulating expression of multiple developmentally regulated genes, including mediators of the muscle-specific transcription program: Pax7, Myf5, MyoD and myogenin. Here we present evidence suggesting an essential role for the antagonistic Polycomb group and Trithorax group proteins in the epigenetic marking of muscle-specific genes to ensure proper temporal and spatial expression during muscle regeneration. The importance of Polycomb group and Trithorax group proteins in establishing chromatin structure at muscle-specific genes suggests that therapeutic modulation of their activity in satellite cells could represent a viable approach for repairing damaged muscle in muscular dystrophy.
authors.affiliation: Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, Mailbox 511, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6. jdilworth@ohri.ca
authors.forename: F Jeffrey
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Dilworth
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blais
mesh_terms: D019175:DNA Methylation; D057890:Epigenomics; D006801:Humans; D024510:Muscle Development; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000628:therapy; D017570:MyoD Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D051787:Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5 / Q000378:metabolism; D018008:Myogenin / Q000378:metabolism; D051763:PAX7 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D032496:Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017570:MyoD Protein; D051787:Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5; D018008:Myogenin; D051763:PAX7 Transcription Factor; C497321:PAX7 protein, human