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From mice to humans: How did the discovery of myostatin change science?
Myostatin is widely considered to be the major factor controlling muscle growth. This protein is encoded by the MSTN gene in the human body. Since it was discovered by scientists in 1997, its function and potential applications have continued to attract attention from the academic community.
History of the discovery of myostatin
The myostatin gene was first identified in 1997 by scientists including Se-Jin Lee and Alexandra McPherron. They explored its effects by creating mice lacking the gene (called "strong mice"), which had twice the muscle mass of normal mice.
Many species of plants and animals can produce myostatin, demonstrating its evolutionary advantage to the organism.
Structure and mechanism of myostatin
Human myostatin is composed of two identical subunits, each containing 109 amino acid residues. Its active form needs to be cleaved by proteases and then binds to the activated type II receptor, thereby initiating a series of cell signaling pathways that ultimately lead to the inhibition of muscle growth.
Impact in Animal StudiesMutation Impact
Research on myostatin has shown that mutations can lead to a variety of different biological phenotypes. For example, some breeds of cattle lacking the myostatin gene will develop "double muscle", which increases muscle mass but also brings reproductive problems.
Other animals' performance
Animals lacking myostatin, such as poodles and rabbits, show significant muscle growth, but this comes with health risks.
Clinical significance and therapeutic potential
The study of myostatin is not limited to animals, but also has important potential for human application. Recent studies have shown that inhibiting the activity of myostatin may provide treatment options for diseases such as muscular dystrophy. A monoclonal antibody against myostatin has been shown to increase muscle mass in mice and monkeys.
The effects of exercise and lifestyle on myostatin
Exercise has a direct effect on myostatin levels, with active exercise reducing myostatin expression, while obesity is associated with higher levels of myostatin.
Conclusion and Prospects
Overall, the discovery of myostatin not only changes our understanding of muscle growth, but also opens up new avenues for future medical research. Will we one day be able to effectively use these research results to treat muscle wasting diseases or enhance human athletic ability?
