| abstract |
The present invention provides substantially purified growth differentiation factor (GDF) receptors, including GDF-8 (myostatin) receptors, as well as functional peptide portions thereof. Further, the invention provides a virtual representation of the GDF receptor or a functional peptide portion thereof. The invention also provides a method of modulating the effect of myostatin on a cell by contacting the cell with a substance that affects myostatin signaling in the cell. In addition, the present invention provides for the modulation of myostatin signaling in muscle or adipose tissue cells of a subject to modulate a pathology characterized at least in part by abnormal muscle, adipose tissue abundance, development, or metabolic activity in the subject. A method for improving the severity is provided. The invention also provides a method of modulating the growth of muscle or adipose tissue in eukaryotes by administering to the organism a substance that affects myostatin signaling. |