GDF-8
Growth Differentiation Factor 8 (Myostatin)
The muscle brake itself.
Half-life
~ varies (TGF-beta family kinetics)
Mol. weight
~ 25 kDa (dimer, mature)
Sequence
TGF-beta superfamily member (mature dimer)
Discussions
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Overview
GDF-8, better known as myostatin, is the TGF-beta superfamily member that functions as the body's primary negative regulator of muscle mass. It is the target that follistatin, ACE-031, and the entire myostatin-axis research field are trying to inhibit. Studied mostly as a reference target rather than administered directly.
Mechanism of action
Myostatin (GDF-8) is a TGF-beta superfamily signaling protein that acts through activin type II receptors (ActRIIB) to limit muscle fiber growth and number. Animals naturally lacking myostatin (the famous 'Belgian Blue' cattle and certain mouse strains) show dramatic muscle hypertrophy, which established myostatin as the master brake on muscle mass. Almost every muscle-growth peptide strategy in this library works by blocking myostatin's signal.
Researched benefits
- The key target for muscle-growth research
- Myostatin-null animals show extreme muscle mass
- Foundational to understanding muscle regulation
Considerations
- Administering myostatin would suppress muscle growth
- Studied as a target to inhibit, not to use
- Research reference compound
Key Academic Literature & Studies
Search more in PubMedPeer-reviewed citations and clinical trials evaluating GDF-8 in scientific literature.
Query PubMed for recent peer-reviewed preclinical and clinical publications on GDF-8:
View GDF-8 index on PubMed (NCBI)