TGF-β and Myostatin Signaling in Skeletal Muscle 1 Mini-Review: Transforming Growth factor−β and Myostatin Signaling in Skeletal Muscle

1 Mini-Review: Transforming Growth factor−β and Myostatin Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Helen D. Kollias and John C. McDermott 1 Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 2 Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada The superfamily of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) cytokines has been shown to have profound effects on cellular proliferation, differentiation and growth. Recently, there have been major advances in our understanding of the signaling pathway(s) conveying TGF−β signals to the nucleus to ultimately control gene expression. One tissue that is potently influenced by TGF−β superfamily signaling is skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle ontogeny and post-natal physiology have proven to be exquisitely sensitive to the TGF−β superfamily cytokine milieu in various animal systems from mice to humans. Recently, major strides have been made in understanding the role of TGF-β and its closely related family member, myostatin, in these processes. In this overview, we will review recent advances in our understanding of the TGF−β and myostatin signaling pathways and, in particular, focus on the implications of this signaling pathway for skeletal muscle development, physiology, and pathology.