striated muscle cell differentiation

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process in which a relatively unspecialized cell acquires specialized features of a striated muscle cell; striated muscle fibers are divided by transverse bands into striations, and cardiac and voluntary muscle are types of striated muscle. [CL:0000737, GOC:ai]

Striated muscle cell differentiation, a complex process involving multiple steps, begins with the commitment of mesenchymal stem cells to the myogenic lineage. This commitment is influenced by various signaling pathways, including the Wnt, Shh, and TGF-β pathways. Upon commitment, the myoblasts, precursor cells for muscle fibers, undergo a series of events:

- **Proliferation:** Myoblasts proliferate rapidly, increasing the number of cells available for muscle fiber formation.
- **Alignment and Fusion:** Myoblasts align themselves in parallel and fuse together, forming multinucleated myotubes. This fusion is mediated by cell adhesion molecules and signaling pathways, ensuring the formation of a single, elongated muscle fiber.
- **Myofibrillogenesis:** Myotubes begin to synthesize and assemble myofibrils, the contractile units of muscle fibers. This process involves the coordinated assembly of actin and myosin filaments into sarcomeres, the basic functional unit of a myofibril.
- **Sarcolemma Formation:** The sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of muscle fibers, forms around the myotubes. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the fiber and in transmitting nerve impulses.
- **Maturation and Differentiation:** The myotubes mature into mature muscle fibers, characterized by the presence of specialized organelles, including the sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse tubules. The fibers develop a highly organized structure, allowing for efficient muscle contraction.

Throughout this process, gene expression is tightly regulated, with the expression of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), including MyoD, Myf5, Myogenin, and MRF4, playing a key role in driving the differentiation program. Additionally, the extracellular matrix surrounding the myoblasts and myotubes provides structural support and influences cell behavior during differentiation.

The entire process is influenced by various external stimuli, including mechanical stress, growth factors, and hormones. Ultimately, this intricate sequence of events results in the formation of functional striated muscle fibers capable of generating force and movement.'
"

Proteins (8)

Compounds (624)