RNA Regulation in Myogenesis

Skeletal muscle cell differentiation, also known as myogenesis, is a complex process that directs proliferating myoblasts to differentiate into mature myotubes which are eventually organized into myofibers. Myogenesis involves a series of regulatory events that occur at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. For the proper control of myogenesis, a significant impact has been ascribed to the regulation of mRNAs that are specifically expressed in muscle tissue, as well as mRNAs that are essential for the formation and function of muscle. Regulation of the mRNAs' half-lives, alternative splicing and translation are the most important examples that occur during myogenesis. Regulatory noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, have been also determined to play a crucial role during the process of skeletal muscle cell differentiation. The precise and tight regulation of myogenesis at the mRNA level is essential for the correct function of muscle, and changes in the regulation of mRNAs frequently lead to diseases.