Muscle protein kinetics in cancer cachexia

Johns, N., Stephens, N.A. and Preston, T. (2012) Muscle protein kinetics in cancer cachexia. Current Opinion Supportive and Palliative Care, 6(4), pp. 417-423. (doi: 10.1097/SPC.0b013e328359e6dd)

Abstract

<p>Purpose of review: Skeletal muscle loss appears to be the most significant event in cancer cachexia and is associated with a poor outcome. The balance between mechanisms that control synthesis and degradation is fundamental when designing new therapies. This review aims to highlight the molecular mechanisms that are associated with protein kinetics.</p> <p>Recent findings: The mechanisms that promote muscle synthesis have been explored in detail recently but moreover they have been the mechanisms behind degradation. Specific advances in cellular signalling molecules related to autophagy pathways including signal transducer and activators of transcription-3, activin type-2 receptor, TRAF6, and transcriptomic research have been given special attention in this review to highlight their roles in degradation and as potential targets for therapeutics. Ways to quantify muscle loss are badly needed for outcome measures; recent research using radiolabelled amino acids has also been discussed in this review.</p> <p>Summary: Only by having an appreciation of the complex regulation of muscle protein synthesis and degradation, will potential new therapeutics be able to be developed. This review identifies known targets in molecular pathways of current interest, explores methods used to find novel genes which may be involved in muscle kinetics and also highlights ways in which muscle kinetics may be measured to assess the efficacy of such interventions.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Preston, Professor Tom
• Authors: Johns, N., Stephens, N.A., and Preston, T.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Current Opinion Supportive and Palliative Care
• ISSN: 1751-4258
• ISSN (Online): 1751-4266