MYTHO: An uncharacterized FoxO-dependent gene that controls autophagy and skeletal muscle mass

Skeletal muscles make up a large proportion of total body mass and act as important energy reserves that are needed to support critical organ function. Skeletal muscle mass loss (atrophy) is a major health problem worldwide. The proposal focuses on the roles of MYTHO in regulatingskeletal muscle autophgy, fiber size and function. It will also deal with the therapeutic potentials of targeting MYTHO expression in skeletal muscles to ameliorate muscle dysfunction and atrophy in pathological conditions. Many of the procedures proposed in the proposal deal with cell physiology aspects of skeletal muscle fibers including autophagosome formation, protein-protein interactions and physiological variables such as muscle fiber size and muscle contractility. Ultimately, understanding the role of MYTHO in regulating autophagy and the proteins involved in this pathway will have a major impact on identification of innovative therapeutic targets for prevention and potential treatment of loss of skeletal muscle mass and function associated with aging, injury, and disease.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sabah Hussain

Student:

Partner:

University of Padua

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

McGill University

Program: