Molecular regulation of skeletal muscle tissue formation and development

Abstract

This article provides a complex overview of the different stages of myogenesis with an emphasis on the molecular, genetic and cellular bases for skeletal muscle growth. Animals with higher number of medium-sized muscle fibres produce meat of higher quality and in higher quantity. The number of muscle fibres that are created in the body is largely decided during the process of myogenesis. This review describes the main stages of embryonic skeletal myogenesis and the myogenic factors that control myogenesis in epaxial and hypaxial somites, limbs, the head and neck as well as postnatal muscle fibre growth and regeneration. An understanding of the molecular and genetic factors influencing the prenatal and postnatal growth of skeletal muscle is essential for the development of the new strategies and practical approaches to meat production.