MSTN

Myostatin (MSTN), also known as GDF8 or MSLHP, encoded by MSTN gene, is a member of the TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily which is a negative regulator of muscle growth and proliferation. The MSTN can bind to various TGF-beta receptors leading to recruitment and activation of SMAD family transcription factors that regulate downstream target gene transcription.
The MSTN is widely expressed in multiple human tissues, such as adrenal, brain, endometrium, esophagus, fat, prostate, skin, small intestine and so on. It is proved that the MSTN is associated with the muscle diseases progression, including heart failure,right ventricle dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcopenia. Moreover, MSTN can facilitate ovarian cancer cell migration through ALK4/5-SMAD2/3-E-cadherin signaling.
With the discovery of the ability to regulate skeletal muscle mass of MSTN, the anti-myostatin therapies are rapidly developing in recent years to apply to treat a full range of muscle disorders, including sarcopenia, cachexia and genetic neuromuscular diseases.
Gene ID: 2660
UniProt ID: O14793