Regulation of slow and fast muscle myofibrillogenesis by Wnt/beta-catenin and myostatin signaling

PLoS One. 2009 Jun 11;4(6):e5880. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005880.

Abstract

Deviation from proper muscle development or homeostasis results in various myopathic conditions. Employing genetic as well as chemical intervention, we provide evidence that a tight regulation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is essential for muscle fiber growth and maintenance. In zebrafish embryos, gain-of-Wnt/beta-catenin function results in unscheduled muscle progenitor proliferation, leading to slow and fast muscle hypertrophy accompanied by fast muscle degeneration. The effects of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling on fast muscle hypertrophy were rescued by misexpression of Myostatin or p21(CIP/WAF), establishing an in vivo regulation of myofibrillogenesis by Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and Myostatin. Epistatic analyses suggest a possible genetic interaction between Wnt/beta-catenin and Myostatin in regulation of slow and fast twitch muscle myofibrillogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / metabolism
  • Epistasis, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Hypertrophy
  • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / pathology*
  • Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / pathology*
  • Muscles / embryology*
  • Myostatin / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Myostatin
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin