Encyclopedia
Myostatin
- genes
1. Normal Function
The MSTN gene provides instructions for making a protein called myostatin. This protein is part of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily, which is a group of proteins that help control the growth and development of tissues throughout the body. Myostatin is found almost exclusively in muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles), where it is active both before and after birth. This protein normally restrains muscle growth, ensuring that muscles do not grow too large. Myostatin has been studied extensively in mice, cows, and other animals, and it appears to have a similar function in humans.
Researchers are studying myostatin as a potential treatment for various muscular dystrophies that cause muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy).
2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
2.1. Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy
At least one mutation in the MSTN gene has been found to cause myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, a rare condition characterized by increased muscle mass and strength. The mutation, which is written as IVS1+5G>A, disrupts the way the gene's instructions are used to make myostatin. As a result, cells produce little or no functional myostatin. A loss of this protein in muscle cells leads to an overgrowth of muscle tissue. It does not appear to cause any other medical problems in affected individuals.
3. Other Names for This Gene
- GDF-8
- GDF8
- GDF8_HUMAN
- growth differentiation factor 8
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mstn
References
- Bradley L, Yaworsky PJ, Walsh FS. Myostatin as a therapeutic target formusculoskeletal disease. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2008 Jul;65(14):2119-24. doi:10.1007/s00018-008-8077-3. Review. Citation on PubMed
- Carnac G, Ricaud S, Vernus B, Bonnieu A. Myostatin: biology and clinicalrelevance. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2006 Jul;6(7):765-70. Review. Citation on PubMed
- Kollias HD, McDermott JC. Transforming growth factor-beta and myostatinsignaling in skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2008 Mar;104(3):579-87. Epub2007 Nov 21. Review. Citation on PubMed
- Rodgers BD, Garikipati DK. Clinical, agricultural, and evolutionary biology ofmyostatin: a comparative review. Endocr Rev. 2008 Aug;29(5):513-34. doi:10.1210/er.2008-0003. Epub 2008 Jun 30. Review. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Schuelke M, Wagner KR, Stolz LE, Hübner C, Riebel T, Kömen W, Braun T, TobinJF, Lee SJ. Myostatin mutation associated with gross muscle hypertrophy in achild. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jun 24;350(26):2682-8. Citation on PubMed
