Researchers Discover Gene That Promotes Muscle Strength During Exercise

Researchers have identified a gene that promotes muscle strength when switched on by physical activity, unlocking the potential for the development of therapeutic treatments to mimic some of the benefits of working out. Published on July 25, 2020 in Cell Metabolism, the University of Melbourne-led study showed how different types of exercise change the molecules in our muscles, resulting in the discovery of the new C18ORF25 gene that is activated with all types of exercise and responsible for promoting muscle strength. Animals without C18ORF25 have poor exercise performance and weaker muscles. The article is titled “Phosphoproteomics of Three Exercise Modalities Identifies Canonical Signaling and C18ORF25 As an AMPK Substrate Regulating Skeletal Muscle Function.”