30 Apr 2021

Transcriptome analysis of gravitational effects on mouse skeletal muscles under microgravity and artificial 1 g onboard environment


- Discovery of genes that induce muscle atrophy under microgravity -

(Note: Text has been auto translated from Japanese language.)
Gravity is a constant mechanical stimulus and a constant factor that also affects the evolution of living things on Earth. In addition, skeletal muscle is a tissue that can change its structure and metabolism in response to gravity and exercise load, but with the rapid aging, it maintains the amount and function of skeletal muscle and leads a healthy life. Measures are required to continue. On the other hand, it has been reported that astronauts staying in space have a rapid decrease in skeletal muscle mass and bone mass and have symptoms similar to those of the elderly. They are considered to be a model for increases in muscular atrophy and osteoporosis.


In this study, we investigated in detail the effect of gravity on skeletal muscle using a mouse breeding system that can change the gravity environment by a centrifuge developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). In the Japanese "Kibo" experimental laboratory of the International Space Station (ISS), mice were bred for near on one month in both the micro-gravity environment of space and in an artificial gravity environment (1G) in space. The changes in their muscle was analyzed.

For the first time ever, it has been shown that the artificial gravity environment suppresses the decrease in muscle weight and changes in muscle fiber type and gene expression that occurs in the micro-gravity environment. In addition, we discovered a new gene involved in muscular atrophy that was previously unknown.

The results of this research will provide basic data for long-term manned space exploration on the Moon and Mars, and may also be a key to clarifying part of the mechanism of muscular atrophy seen in the elderly and in the bed-ridden on Earth.

Scientific Reports -     11, Article number: 9168 (2021)
    doi/10.1038/s41598-021-88392-4


Research Outline (PDF In Japanese language)