Description
What is GDF-8 (Myostatin)??
GDF-8 (Growth Differentiation Factor 8, also known as Myostatin / MSTN, CAS 57103-13-4) is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily expressed specifically in developing and adult skeletal muscle. The bioactive form is a disulfide-linked homodimer (mature C-terminal domain, Asp268-Ser376) with an apparent MW of approximately 25 kDa. GDF-8 is the most potent endogenous negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass – signalling through ACVR2B/ActRIIB and ALK4/5 receptors to activate SMAD2/3 transcription factors, suppressing protein synthesis and promoting muscle atrophy. Loss-of-function mutations cause dramatic muscle hypertrophy across mammals (Belgian Blue cattle, whippet dogs, rare human cases). Recombinant GDF-8 enables positive-control muscle inhibition assays, inhibitor/neutraliser screening (ACE-031, follistatin, anti-MSTN antibodies), and mechanistic TGF-beta pathway dissection.
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