Myostatin Genetic Report

The protein product of the myostatin gene inhibits skeletal muscle growth. People who suffer from skeletal muscle degenerative diseases show significant increases in myostatin. In contrast, knocking-out the gene results in significant increases in skeletal muscle mass (hypetrophy, which is characterized by an increase in muscle cell size not number, such as is seen in professional athletes) in experimental animals. Recently, a human child exhibiting strength far beyond that of other children of his age and body statue has been found to carry a spontaneous mutation in the myostatin gene, which inhibits its function as growth suppressor. These naturally occurring, spontaneous mutations have been found in humans and animals, always resulting in abnormal strength. Interestingly, Type 3 paranormal vampires who have become Type 3 after a prolonged (years) Type 2 stage, which is associated with moderate to severe muscle wasting (which accompanies general weight loss) and decreased strength (far below that shown by the individual before transformation), once progressing to Type 3 show an increase in body weight (approx. 5-7 lbs) that is specifically related to an increase in muscle mass in the absence of an increase in body fat. Typically, these individuals are still very thin in their torsos (the same as they were as Type 2 paranormal vampires or even thinner), but the large skeletal muscles of their bodies (arms, legs) are significantly …show more content…
Contrary to the terminology, the designation of fast and slow is, in this case, not related to speed of contraction, but to length of contraction. Slow-twitch muscles are capable of prolonged “latch-states”, that is sustained contraction, which also accounts for increased strength. As human beings age, the PGC-1 isoform is lost, accounting for a decrease in strength with