Cited by 1,008Muscle Physiology and DisordersMuscle metabolism and nutritionNutrition and Health in Aging

The Molecular Basis of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Jackman, Robert W., Kandarian, Susan C.·2004·American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology

Abstract

Skeletal muscle atrophy attributable to muscular inactivity has significant adverse functional consequences. While the initiating physiological event leading to atrophy seems to be the loss of muscle tension and a good deal of the physiology of muscle atrophy has been characterized, little is known about the triggers or the molecular signaling events underlying this process. Decreases in protein synthesis and increases in protein degradation both have been shown to contribute to muscle protein loss due to disuse, and recent work has delineated elements of both synthetic and proteolytic processes underlying muscle atrophy. It is also becoming evident that interactions among known proteolytic pathways (ubiquitin-proteasome, lysosomal, and calpain) are involved in muscle proteolysis during atrophy. Factors such as TNF-alpha, glucocorticoids, myostatin, and reactive oxygen species can induce muscle protein loss under specified conditions. Also, it is now apparent that the transcription factor NF-kappaB is a key intracellular signal transducer in disuse atrophy. Transcriptional profiles of atrophying muscle show both up- and downregulation of various genes over time, thus providing further evidence that there are multiple concurrent processes involved in muscle atrophy. The purpose of this review is to synthesize our current understanding of the molecular regulation of muscle atrophy. We also discuss how ongoing work should uncover more about the molecular underpinnings of muscle wasting, particularly that due to disuse.

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Crossref · 10.1152/ajpcell.00579.2003

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  • Various stimuli including aging, genetics, denervation, starvation, unhealthy lifestyle, systemic pathologies, and long-term drug therapy further skeletal muscle loss and weakness.

    “Various stimuli, such as aging, genetics, denervation, starvation, unhealthy lifestyle (i.e., sedentariness, high fat diet (HFD)), systemic pathologies (i.e., diabetes, inflammation, cancer), and long-term drug therapy (i.e., glucocorticoids) are known to further skeletal muscle loss and weakness [2,3,4].”

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Authors
Jackman, R. W., & Kandarian, S. C.
Affiliations
Boston University (US)
Venue
American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology
Published
2004-10
Volume
287
Issue
4
Pages
C834-C843
ISSN
  • 0363-6143 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1563
OpenAlex
W2127808488
Cited by
1,008
References
118
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 52 · 2015: 59 · 2014: 49 · 2013: 64 · 2012: 49
FWCI
3.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Space Biomedical Research Institute
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01 AR-41705, R01AR041705)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
Keywords
skeletal muscle atrophy, disuse atrophy, muscle protein degradation, muscle protein synthesis, ubiquitin-proteasome system, lysosomal proteolysis, calpain, TNF-α, glucocorticoids, myostatin, reactive oxygen species, NF-κB, transcriptional regulation, muscle atrophy
MeSH terms
Muscle Proteins, Muscular Atrophy, Transcription, Genetic, Signal Transduction, Gene Expression, NF-kappa B, Muscle, Skeletal, Muscular Disorders, Atrophic

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