ACE-031 Peptide: Structure and Functions

Muscle fiber formation relies on a series of processes, one of which is cell mitosis. Myostatin, deemed a critical growth hormone, regulates this process by inhibiting the activation and differentiation of satellite cells, thereby restricting muscle growth. Researchers have explored the peptide ACE-031 for its potential to enhance muscle function and growth by counteracting myostatin's impacts. This article examines findings from animal studies on the impact of ACE-031 on muscle cell development and proliferation.
ACE-031 peptide is a recombinant fusion protein, which is made up of two primary compotents: the FC region of G1 (an immuniglobulin) and activin receptor type. This fusion protein appears to act as a myostatin antagonist by binding to myostatin, preventing it from activating its receptor and thereby inhibiting myostatin's muscle growth suppression. Preclinical studies suggest that ACE-031 might exert some mitigatory action in the context of conditions marked by muscle wasting by enhancing muscle growth and strength.
Structure of ACE-031 Peptide
ACE-031 is a synthetic peptide that includes the extracellular domain of the ActRIIB receptor, fused with the Fc region of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1). This peptide binds to activin, a protein belonging to the TGF-beta superfamily, preventing it from interacting with the ActRIIB receptor.
Function of ACE-031 Peptide
Research indicates that ACE-031 may perform several biological functions, including promoting muscle cell proliferation and growth, which may induce several downstream impacts in certain disorders and muscular conditions. By inhibiting the interaction between activin and the ActRIIB receptor, ACE-031 is believed to enhance muscle cell development.
ACE-031 Peptide and Muscle
Animal studies have investigated the potential of ACE-031 to improve muscle development and impact contractile force. In one study involving murine models of muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition characterized by progressive muscle weakening and wasting, those mice exposed to ACE-031 suggested significant increases in muscle mass and strength compared to control mice. These improvements were attributed to an increase in both the number and diameter of muscle fibers and satellite cells.
ACE-031 Peptide Research
Another study focused on the impacts of ACE-031 on the muscle development of healthy rats. The results indicated that rats given ACE-031 appeared to exhibit muscle mass that far exceeded the control models in comparison. This enhancement was linked to the growth in muscle fiber size and the number of satellite cells.
Research on canines examined ACE-031's potential for aiding muscle regeneration post-injury. Dogs exposed to ACE-031 seemed to have exhibited faster muscle regeneration and improved muscle function compared to control canines. These properties were thought to arise from an increase in satellite cell numbers and upregulation of genes involved in muscle regeneration.
In studies involving age-related muscle atrophy, research on monkeys explored the potential impacts of ACE-031 on muscle development and function. Monkeys presented with ACE-031 suggested significant improvements in muscle mass and strength compared to placebo-treated animals. These enhancements were believed to result from increases in muscle fiber size and satellite cell count.
Properties of ACE-031 Peptide
Animal studies suggest several potential properties of ACE-031, including:
- Enhanced muscular mass.
- Inhibition of muscle tissue atrophy in murine models of MD.
- Enhanced bone density and protection against bone loss.
- Improved muscle tissue regeneration following injury.
- Reduced fat cell formation.
- Enhanced insulin sensitivity and oxygen delivery to cells.
- An uptake in red blood cells.
ACE-031 findings have indicated some promise in animal studies as a potential candidate for futher research in various conditions, including osteoporosis and muscular dystrophy.
ACE-031 Peptide: Concluding Remarks
ACE-031 is a synthetic peptide with significant potential in muscle cell research. Studies suggest that ACE-031 may enhance muscle cell development by inhibiting the interaction between activin and the ActRIIB receptor.
References
[i] Zhang, M., et al. (2015). The effect of ACE-031 and GDF-11 on muscle mass, muscle function, and bone density in aged rats. BioMed Research International, 2015, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/812361
[ii] Qiao, C., et al. (2013). Myostatin propeptide gene delivery by adeno-associated virus serotype 8 vectors enhances muscle growth and ameliorates dystrophic phenotypes in mdx mice. Human Gene Therapy, 24(3), 241–252. https://doi.org/10.1089/hum.2012.184
[iii] Mendell, J. R., et al. (2015). A phase 1/2a follistatin gene therapy trial for Becker muscular dystrophy. Molecular Therapy, 23(1), 192–201. https://doi.org/10.1038/mt.2014.194
[iv] Lee, S.-J. (2007). Regulation of muscle mass by myostatin. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, 23, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.cellbio.22.010605.093918
[v] Smith, R. C., et al. (1993). MyoD1-dependent expression of the dystrophin gene in skeletal muscle. Cell, 73(6), 1353–1364. https://doi.org/10.1016/0092-8674(93)90360-8
[vi] Welle, S., & Tawil, R. (2008). Skeletal muscle and aging: A brief review. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 33(3), 291–301. https://doi.org/10.1139/h08-019
[vii] Bogdanovich, S., et al. (2002). Functional improvement of dystrophic muscle by myostatin blockade. Nature, 420(6914), 418–421. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01154