MSTN Mouse Models

Why Model MSTN

Mstn is the mouse ortholog of human MSTN and encodes myostatin (GDF8), a secreted TGF-β-superfamily factor produced mainly by skeletal muscle. Myostatin has been associated with negative regulation of muscle mass.

Loss of myostatin function increases muscle mass in several species, and myostatin-pathway-directed agents are under study for muscle-wasting and metabolic conditions. Mstn-deficient mice show marked increases in skeletal muscle mass.

Model Applications

Humanized MSTN models, in which the human protein replaces the mouse counterpart, have been used to evaluate myostatin-directed agents in defined experimental settings.

Mstn knockout mice have been used to study the regulation of muscle growth.

Custom MSTN Model Options

Engineered to your specifications, with molecular validation of the targeted allele and germline transmission guaranteed.

• Conventional knockout
• Conditional knockout
• Point mutation / knockin
• Reporter knockin
• Humanized
• Targeted transgenic

Sources

• Myostatin modulation in spinal muscular atrophy: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Int J Mol Sci. 2025. doi:10.3390/ijms26125858
• McPherron AC et al. Regulation of skeletal muscle mass in mice by a new TGF-β superfamily member. Nature. 1997. doi:10.1038/387083a0

Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Reviewed by: Paul Sheiffele

Related gene targets: Gdf11 · Acvr2b · Fst · Tgfb1