A Proteomic Approach to Investigate the Mechanism underlying Skeletal Muscle Growth

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Mechanisms controlling skeletal muscle growth in whole animals are poorly understood. Recent work has shown that genetic deletion of the secreted signalling protein, Myostatin, leads to a massive increase in skeletal muscle mass. This is achieved through increased hyperplasia and hypertrophy indicating that this molecule normally prevents muscle growth during foetal and adult life. Very little is known about how this molecule executes its function let alone the identity of the molecules that execute the muscle growth inhibitory action of Mystatin. We will test the hypothesis that proteins negatively regulated by Myostatin and positively regulated by its antagonist, Follistatin, are downstream effectors of a pathway that regulates skeletal muscle mass growth. Identification of the downstream effector proteins will be achieved by harnessing the versatility of experimental embryological methodology to the power of proteomics. Ultimately downstream effector proteins may prove to be suitable targets for strategies aimed at promoting muscle growth employed for the treatment of human muscle wasting diseases and in the agricultural industry to enhance meat production.