what is myostatin

Myostatin is a protein encoded by the MSTN gene, and it is a myokine that is produced and released by myocytes. It acts on muscle cells to inhibit muscle growth and is a member of the TGF beta protein family. Myostatin is found almost exclusively in skeletal muscles, where it limits muscle growth to ensure that muscles do not grow too large. Lack of myostatin promotes excessive muscle growth, but it can also impair force generation. Variants in the MSTN gene that reduce the production of functional myostatin can lead to myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, a rare condition characterized by reduced body fat and increased muscle size. Myostatin is being studied as a potential treatment for various muscular dystrophies that cause muscle weakness and wasting.