Follistatin 344

Description:
Follistatin 344 is an activin-binding protein that aid muscle repair process and also improve

motor functions. It is is made up of 323 amino acids.

It binds directly with activin and acts as an activin antagonist. Follistatin 344 is a selective

inhibitor of biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Follistatin

344 is a potent myostatin inhibitor and promotes muscle growth this is due to the fact it blocks

myostatin. The peptide is preferred by athletes who are unable to exercise regularly or opt out

from sports activities but need massive muscle mass. Research studies demonstrated the anti-

aging and tissue rejuvenation effects of Follistatin, it is also a glycoprotein encoded by the FST

gene which means that it is widely distributed in all tissues. A single follistatin gene encodes to

various isoforms including FST317 and FST344.

These isoforms are made up of 317 and 344 amino acids that promote alternative splicing of

mRNA. Molecular biological studies have identified potential linkage between polycystic ovarian

syndrome and follistatin genes. It was first discovered as follicle stimulating hormone compound

in the ovarian follicle fluid. The human Follistatin CDNA encodes for a 344 amino acid protein

with 29 amino acids signaling the sequence. The domain that encodes for the EGF has kazallike

motifs and a highly acidic C-terminal. The secreted Follistatin binds to TGF-family ligand as

indicated and it regulates the activity of the signaling receptors. Previous studies had shown that

the polypeptide is an antagonist to activin. Moreover apart from being an antagonist to activin,

Follistatin inhibits activities of other TGF-beta ligand such as GDF-11, BMP-2,-4,-6 and

myostatin among others. In most cases, Follistatin is expressed in the ovaries, pituitary gland,

and endometrial cells in some cases.

Follistatin (FST) is a secreted glycoprotein that was first identified as a follicle stimulating

hormone inhibiting substance in ovarian follicular fluid (1, 2). Human Follistatin cDNA encodes a

344 amino acid (aa) protein with a 29 aa signal sequence, an Nterminal atypical TGF binding

domain, three Follistatin domains that contain EGFlike and kazallike motifs, and a highly acidic

Cterminal tail. Follistatin is a secreted protein that binds to ligands of the TGF-Beta family and

regulates their activity by inhibiting their access to signaling receptors. It was originally

discovered as activin antagonists whose activity suppresses expression and secretion of the

pituitary hormone FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). In addition to being a natural antagonist,

follistatin can inhibit the activity of other TGF-Beta ligands including BMP-2, -4, -6, -7, Myostatin,

GDF-11, and TGF-Beta1. Follistatin is expressed in the pituitary, ovaries, decidual cells of the

endometrium, and in some other tissues. Recombinant human Follistatin is a 37.8 kDa protein

containing 344 amino acids .