Muscle wasting and impaired myogenesis in tumor bearing mice are prevented by ERK inhibition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The onset of cachexia is a frequent feature in cancer patients. Prominent characteristic of this syndrome is the loss of body and muscle weight, this latter being mainly supported by increased protein breakdown rates. While the signaling pathways dependent on IGF-1 or myostatin were causally involved in muscle atrophy, the role of the Mitogen-Activated-Protein-Kinases is still largely debated. The present study investigated this point on mice bearing the C26 colon adenocarcinoma.

Methodology/principal findings

C26-bearing mice display a marked loss of body weight and muscle mass, this latter associated with increased phosphorylated (p)-ERK. Administration of the ERK inhibitor PD98059 to tumor bearers attenuates muscle depletion and weakness, while restoring normal

SUBMITTER: Penna F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2965098 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature