Branched actin polymerization drives invasive protrusion formation to promote myoblast fusion during skeletal muscle regeneration.

ABSTRACT: Skeletal muscle regeneration is a multistep process involving the activation, proliferation, differentiation, and fusion of muscle stem cells, known as satellite cells. The fusion of satellite cell-derived mononucleated muscle cells (SCMs) is indispensable for the generation of multinucleated, contractile myofibers during muscle repair. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying SCM fusion during muscle regeneration remain poorly understood. In this study, we uncovered an essential role for branched actin polymerization in SCM fusion. Using conditional knockouts of the Arp2/3 complex and its actin nucleation-promoting factors, N-WASP and WAVE, we demonstrated that branched actin polymerization is required for the SCM fusion, but not for satellite cell proliferation, differen

SUBMITTER: Lu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11482830 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature