A Novel Nanobody Directed against Ovine Myostatin to Enhance Muscle Growth in Mouse
Kepeng Ou,
Youjian Li,
Peng Wu,
Jixing Guo,
Xiujing Hao,
Jinliang Sheng,
Chuangfu Chen
Affiliations
Kepeng Ou
National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy & International Academy of Targeted Therapeutics and Innovation, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
Youjian Li
National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Kinase Modulators as Innovative Medicine, Chongqing Collaborative Innovation Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy & International Academy of Targeted Therapeutics and Innovation, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China
Peng Wu
College of Animal Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Jixing Guo
College of Life Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Xiujing Hao
College of Natural Science, NingXia University, YinChua 750000, China
Jinliang Sheng
College of Animal Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Chuangfu Chen
College of Animal Sciences, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
Myostatin (MSTN) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and is a negative regulator of myogenesis. It has been shown to function by controlling the proliferation of myoblasts. MSTN inhibition is considered as a promising treatment for promoting animal growth in livestock. Nanobodies, a special antibody discovered in camel, have arisen as an alternative to conventional antibodies and have shown great potential when used as tools in different biotechnology fields, such as diagnostics and therapy. In this study, we examined the effect of MSTN inhibition by RMN on the muscle growth of mice. The results showed that RMN could specifically detect and bind MSTN, as well as inhibit MSTN activity. A significant increase in skeletal muscle mass was observed after intramuscular injection of RMN into mice. Enhanced muscle growth occurred because of myofiber hypertrophy. These results offer a promising approach to enhance muscle growth that warrants further investigation in domestic animals.
