Follistatin
Also known as FST, Activin-binding protein
A naturally occurring glycoprotein that binds and neutralizes myostatin and activin, studied mainly through gene therapy approaches in muscle disease.
Preclinical research
Size
1 option- Catalog no.
- —
- Specification
- 1mg*10vials
- Per kit
- 10 vials
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Buyers must be 21 or older.
Overview
Follistatin is an endogenous glycoprotein that binds members of the TGF-beta superfamily, especially activin and myostatin, preventing them from signaling through their receptors. Because myostatin restrains skeletal muscle growth, follistatin overexpression in mice markedly increases muscle mass. Human research has delivered the follistatin gene into muscle with an adeno-associated virus vector in muscular dystrophy patients, rather than administering the protein. This product is the protein, which has a different and much less studied profile.
Class: Glycoprotein antagonist of myostatin and activin
Mechanism of action
How the compound acts, as described in the literature.
Binds myostatin (GDF-8) and activins with high affinity, blocking their access to activin type II receptors.
Blocking myostatin–activin signaling reduces SMAD2/3 activation in muscle, removing a brake on muscle growth.
In transgenic mice, follistatin overexpression produced larger muscle increases than myostatin loss alone, implicating other ligands.
Follistatin also regulates FSH secretion through activin neutralization in the reproductive axis.
Published research
Selected studies, each linked to its PubMed record. Summaries describe what the studies reported.
2001
Rodent / molecular study
PMID 11459935Regulation of myostatin activity and muscle growth.
Lee SJ, et al. · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Showed that follistatin and the myostatin propeptide inhibit myostatin; transgenic mice overexpressing follistatin had large increases in muscle mass.
2008
Rodent gene therapy study
PMID 18334646Long-term enhancement of skeletal muscle mass and strength by single gene administration of myostatin inhibitors.
Haidet AM, et al. · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
A single AAV gene delivery of follistatin increased skeletal muscle mass and strength over the long term in mice.
2015
Phase 1/2a gene therapy trial
PMID 25322757A phase 1/2a follistatin gene therapy trial for becker muscular dystrophy.
Mendell JR, et al. · Mol Ther
In patients with Becker muscular dystrophy, intramuscular AAV delivery of the follistatin gene was associated with improved six-minute walk distance, especially at the higher dose.
Evidence & safety
What the research does not show, and the adverse events and regulatory status it reports.
Human studies used AAV gene therapy that delivers the follistatin gene into muscle, not administration of the follistatin protein, so their results do not describe a follistatin peptide. Evidence for the protein itself is from animal and in vitro work, and its safety profile is uncharacterized.
Specifications
All sizes, exactly as catalogued.
| Catalog no. | Product | Specification | Vials per kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Follistatin | 1mg*10vials | 10 |
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Research summaries are provided for educational purposes and do not describe this product’s use.