Myogenic factor 5 (MYF5)

Myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor and an early-expressed member of the myogenic regulatory factor family, which also includes MyoD, myogenin, and MRF4[1][3]. MYF5 plays a master regulatory role in the commitment of precursor cells to the skeletal muscle lineage during embryogenesis and is a key determinant of muscle cell fate[1][2][3]. It activates transcription of muscle-specific genes and can induce non-muscle cells to adopt a muscle phenotype[1][5]. MYF5 expression is tightly regulated by various enhancer elements and is essential for proper early muscle development, with additional indirect roles in rib formation and brown adipose tissue lineage specification[1]. In the adult, MYF5 is expressed in satellite cells and is involved in post-injury muscle regeneration[1][3][4].

Other names

BHLHC2Myf-5bHLHc2Class C basic helix-loop-helix protein 2EORVAmyogenic determination factor 5