Small Molecules Dorsomorphin and LDN-193189 Inhibit Myostatin/GDF8 Signaling and Promote Functional Myoblast Differentiation.
Horbelt, D., Boergermann, J.H., Chaikuad, A., Alfano, I., Williams, E., Lukonin, I., Timmel, T., Bullock, A.N., Knaus, P.(2015) J Biol Chem 290: 3390-3404
- PubMed: 25368322 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M114.604397
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
3Q4T - PubMed Abstract: 
GDF8, or myostatin, is a member of the TGF-β superfamily of secreted polypeptide growth factors. GDF8 is a potent negative regulator of myogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. We found that GDF8 signaling was inhibited by the small molecule ATP competitive inhibitors dorsomorphin and LDN-193189. These compounds were previously shown to be potent inhibitors of BMP signaling by binding to the BMP type I receptors ALK1/2/3/6. We present the crystal structure of the type II receptor ActRIIA with dorsomorphin and demonstrate that dorsomorphin or LDN-193189 target GDF8 induced Smad2/3 signaling and repression of myogenic transcription factors. As a result, both inhibitors rescued myogenesis in myoblasts treated with GDF8. As revealed by quantitative live cell microscopy, treatment with dorsomorphin or LDN-193189 promoted the contractile activity of myotubular networks in vitro. We therefore suggest these inhibitors as suitable tools to promote functional myogenesis.
Organizational Affiliation: 
From the Institute for Chemistry-Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany.