Research Applications
Muscular Dystrophy
Gene therapy using AAV-follistatin has entered Phase 1/2 clinical trials for Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, showing improved muscle function and 6-minute walk test performance.
Muscle Wasting
Research for sarcopenia, cachexia, and disuse atrophy. Follistatin's myostatin-blocking mechanism promotes muscle growth even in catabolic conditions.
Fertility Research
Activin/follistatin balance regulates FSH secretion and follicular development, with implications for fertility treatment.
Metabolic Improvement
Follistatin-induced muscle mass increase enhances glucose disposal and insulin sensitivity through increased metabolic sink tissue.
Mechanism of Action
Follistatin binds myostatin and activin with high affinity, preventing their interaction with ActRIIB (activin receptor type IIB). Myostatin normally signals through ActRIIB→Smad2/3 to suppress muscle protein synthesis and satellite cell activation. By neutralizing myostatin, follistatin removes this inhibition, allowing mTOR-mediated protein synthesis and satellite cell proliferation to proceed unchecked, resulting in marked muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia.
Biological Pathways
Myostatin/ActRIIB/Smad2/3 inhibition. Released mTOR/p70S6K for protein synthesis. Enhanced satellite cell proliferation through removed Smad-mediated cell cycle inhibition. Activin neutralization for reproductive and metabolic effects.
Dosage Information
Calculation Results
Syringe Fill Level (100u syringe)
Protocols
No protocols featuring this peptide yet.
Browse All ProtocolsStability & Storage
Follistatin is a large glycoprotein requiring careful handling. Store lyophilized form at -20°C or below. Reconstitute in sterile buffer with carrier protein (0.1% BSA). Use within 7 days at 2-8°C. Sensitive to freeze-thaw, agitation, and temperature extremes. Gene therapy approaches avoid protein stability challenges.
Side Effects & Precautions
Limited human safety data. Theoretical concerns include potential effects on reproductive hormones (activin/FSH regulation), liver function, and uncontrolled tissue growth. Gene therapy trials show acceptable safety profiles in muscular dystrophy patients. As a research compound, comprehensive side effect data is not available.
Research Use Only. This information is for educational and research purposes only. Not intended for medical advice or self-medication.
Regulatory Status
Not FDA-approved as a therapeutic protein. Gene therapy vectors expressing follistatin (AAV1-FS344) are in clinical trials under IND status for muscular dystrophy. Research compound. WADA-prohibited under S4.2 (Myostatin Inhibitors).
Research Studies
Follistatin Gene Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy
Mendell JR, Sahenk Z, Malik V, et al.
Follistatin Inhibits Myostatin and Enhances Muscle Growth
Lee SJ, McPherron AC.
Myostatin/Activin Signaling in Muscle Regulation
Lee SJ.
