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The control of muscle mass is determined by a dynamic balance of anabolic and catabolic processes. In the last decade, myostatin, a member of the TGFbeta superfamily, has emerged as a key factor in muscle growth regulation.
The objective of this project is to examine the effect of myostatin on the molecular determinants of the balance between muscle atrophy and hypertrophy. We will focus
i) on the main factors known to be involved in muscle atrophy and hypertrophy particularly PI3K/Akt pathway
ii) on new targets of myostatin revealed by genomic approach such as cell survival/apoptosis pathways
iii) on the calpains proteolytic system
iv) on the role of FoxO in the expression of the two trout myostatin genes during atrophy and hypertrophy of myotubes.
For that, different complementary models of overexpression (C2C12 transfected cells, primary cultures of transfected trout cells) and under-expression of myostatin (KO myostatin mice, cattle with mutations or deletions in myostatin gene, C2C12 transfected cells, trout primary cultures of transfected cells) will be used. Understanding mechanisms regulating the balance between muscle atrophy and hypertrophy could lead to a better management of the muscular growth of breeding animals as well as development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Partners

Inra, URH Unité de Recherches sur les Herbivores, Theix (Coordinator B Picard)

Inra, UMR866 DCC Différenciation Cellulaire et Croissance, Montpellier (A Bonnieu)

UPCDM,  Unité Protéolyse Croissance et Développement Musculaire, Bordeaux (P Cottin)

Inra LPGP Rennes (Jean-Charles Gabillard- Growth and Flesh Quality)