Chain-Shortened Myostatin Inhibitory Peptides Improve Grip Strength in Mice.

Inhibition of myostatin is a promising strategy for treatment of muscle atrophic disorders. We had already identified a 23-mer peptide () as a synthetic myostatin inhibitor, and structure-activity relationship studies with afforded a potent 22-mer peptide derivative (). Herein, we report the shortest myostatin inhibitory peptide so far. Among chain-shortened 16-mer peptidic inhibitors derived from the C-terminal region of , peptide inhibitor with β-sheet propensity was twice as potent as 22-mer inhibitor and significantly increased not only muscle mass but also hind limb grip strength in Duchenne muscular dystrophic model mice. These results suggest that is a promising platform for drug development treating muscle atrophic disorders.