Gene MSTN

Also known as

myostatin, GDF8, growth differentiation factor 8

Overview

MSTN (Myostatin) encodes a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass belonging to the TGF-beta superfamily. Myostatin is produced by skeletal muscle and acts to limit muscle growth. In the absence of functional myostatin, animals develop dramatically increased muscle mass, as famously seen in Belgian Blue cattle and "double-muscled" dogs.

Rare human mutations in MSTN result in exceptional muscular development. Common variants in MSTN may influence muscle mass, strength potential, and response to resistance training. The K153R polymorphism has been studied in athletic populations, with some associations reported for power and strength phenotypes, though results are not consistent across all studies.

Understanding your MSTN genetic status provides insights into muscle growth potential and regulation. This information is relevant for understanding athletic capacity, body composition, and potentially sarcopenia risk during aging.

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