Jansen Katie M, Pavlath Grace K
Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Methods Mol Biol. 2008;475:115-33. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-250-2_7.
The fusion of postmitotic mononucleated myoblasts to form syncytial myofibers is a critical step in the formation of skeletal muscle. Myoblast fusion occurs both during development and throughout adulthood, as skeletal muscle growth and regeneration require the accumulation of additional nuclei within myofibers. Myoblasts must undergo a complex series of molecular and morphological changes prior to fusing with one another. Although many molecules regulating myoblast fusion have been identified, the precise mechanism by which these molecules act in concert to control fusion remains to be elucidated. A comprehensive understanding of how myo-blast fusion is controlled may contribute to the treatment of various disorders associated with loss of muscle mass. In this chapter, we examine progress made toward elucidating the cellular and molecular pathways involved in mammalian myoblast fusion. Special emphasis is placed on the molecules that regulate myofiber formation without discernibly affecting biochemical differentiation.
有丝分裂后单核成肌细胞融合形成多核肌纤维是骨骼肌形成过程中的关键步骤。成肌细胞融合在发育过程以及成年期都有发生，因为骨骼肌的生长和再生需要在肌纤维内积累更多的细胞核。成肌细胞在相互融合之前必须经历一系列复杂的分子和形态变化。尽管已经鉴定出许多调节成肌细胞融合的分子，但这些分子协同作用控制融合的精确机制仍有待阐明。全面了解成肌细胞融合的调控方式可能有助于治疗与肌肉量减少相关的各种疾病。在本章中，我们将探讨在阐明哺乳动物成肌细胞融合所涉及的细胞和分子途径方面取得的进展。特别强调那些调节肌纤维形成但对生化分化没有明显影响的分子。
