Elucidation of the common molecular pathology of sarcopenia and muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Sarcopenia is an urgent medical and socio-economic problem in rapidly aging societies including Japan. In addition, muscular dystrophy, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is an inheritable muscle disease that affects 1 in 3,500 male live births and causes repeated necrosis and regeneration of skeletal muscle fibers, eventually resulting in muscle atrophy and fibrosis. Drug discovery research for DMD has made significant progress since the 2,000s, because of the discovery of the underlying molecular pathology of DMD, such as identification of creatine kinase as a blood marker, discovery of dystrophin as the gene responsible for DMD, and analysis of necrotic fibers. However, the molecular pathology of sarcopenia remains unclear. To promote drug discovery research for sarcopenia, the identification of the "responsible molecules and genes for the loss of muscle mass and strength" is essential.

In this research, we focus on "mitochondrial abnormalities" as a common molecular pathology of sarcopenia and muscular dystrophy. Using aged mice and animal models for DMD, we will analyze the common molecular pathology between sarcopenia and muscular dystrophy and identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for mitochondrial abnormalities that cause decreases in muscle mass and force. The aim of this research is to elucidate the molecular pathology of sarcopenia and muscular dystrophy and establish a technological basis for drug discovery for these muscle diseases.

Perspectives

• Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of "mitochondrial abnormalities" which are common in various muscle diseases such as sarcopenia and muscular dystrophy.
• Establishment of a technological basis for drug discovery research on sarcopenia and muscular dystrophies.

Comments from principal researcher

Naoki Ito（Brain-Skeletal Muscle Connection in Aging Project Team, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG)）

Sarcopenia is a serious issue in rapidly aging societies such as Japan. However, unlike other age-associated diseases such as dementia and osteoporosis, the underlying molecular mechanisms of sarcopenia are largely unknown. Thus, I believe that basic research is required in this field. My goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of sarcopenia and, ultimately, establish a treatment for this disease using both medical and dietary approaches.

Shared Researchers

Katsura Minegishi（Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP)）