Molecular Mechanisms of Skeletal Muscle Growth and Loss in Health, Aging, and Disease
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editor
Interests: skeletal muscle; muscle atrophy; redox biology; aging; spaceflight; microgravity; radiation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Skeletal muscle is central to locomotion, metabolism, and systemic homeostasis. Its remarkable plasticity is governed by finely tuned molecular networks that balance anabolic and catabolic signaling, regulate mitochondrial and redox function, and integrate local and systemic cues. Disruption of these pathways contributes to muscle loss and dysfunction in diverse conditions, including aging (sarcopenia), metabolic disorders (obesity and diabetes), cancer cachexia, and neuromuscular diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Moreover, disuse, immobilization, and extreme environments such as spaceflight accelerate atrophy, providing unique models to uncover novel molecular regulators of muscle growth and degeneration.
This Special Issue of Biomolecules focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underlie skeletal muscle growth, adaptation, and loss in health, aging, and disease. We welcome original research and reviews addressing topics such as the following:
- Metabolic signaling pathways (anabolic and catabolic) driving muscle growth or wasting;
- Mechanotransduction and load-dependent molecular responses in muscle plasticity;
- Redox stress, oxidative damage, and mitochondrial regulation of muscle adaptation;
- Inflammation and immune regulation in muscle growth and degeneration;
- Extracellular vesicles/exosomes as mediators of inter-tissue communication;
- Obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic disease effects on muscle homeostasis;
- Multi-omics approaches, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies to mitigate muscle loss.
Through mechanistic insights and translational perspectives, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive platform for advancing the science of skeletal muscle biology and therapeutic innovation.
Dr. Khaled Kamal
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- skeletal muscle
- muscle growth and atrophy
- metabolic signaling (anabolic/catabolic)
- mechanotransduction
- redox biology and oxidative stress
- inflammation and immune signaling
- obesity and metabolic disease
- sarcopenia and aging
- cachexia and neuromuscular disease
- extracellular vesicles and exosomes
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