Mechanisms of regulation of skeletal muscle mass and metabolism

骨骼肌除了参与运动外，还发挥着至关重要的作用，当肌肉质量/质量/功能不理想时，就会出现无数的问题，这就证明了这一点。肌肉是蛋白质、碳水化合物和脂肪等营养物质的全身利用和代谢的主要贡献者。我的研究计划的总体重点是基本了解我们食物中的营养物质及其代谢物在正常情况下以及在肌肉紊乱的情况下调节肌肉质量和健康的机制。我们饮食中的营养物质(称为氨基酸)可以控制我们肌肉的重量，但我们不知道它们在作用于谁。我们研究计划中的研究表明，其中一些氨基酸的分解可能调节肌肉细胞的形成。在我接下来的5年研究计划中，我们将努力了解为什么会发生这种情况，以及它是如何发生的。我们将实现这些目标：1.研究肌肉细胞形成时控制氨基酸分解代谢的酶的调节机制。2.研究调节肌肉细胞形成的因素是否也控制氨基酸的分解。3.检查分解氨基酸的酶是否也控制肌肉细胞的形成。4.研究当肌肉受损或由于其他原因导致肌肉质量减少时，是否需要这些酶的作用来修复肌肉。我们将使用新的方法和技术的组合来审查这些主题。由于缺乏关于我们如何利用营养来调节肌肉质量的信息而存在的知识鸿沟，限制了我们对身体工作方式的理解。我们的工作将有助于弥合这一差距。我们的工作结果也可能帮助加拿大人，他们想要获得更多关于如何保持肌肉良好状态并保持更长时间的知识，以及如何在肌肉损伤发生时帮助肌肉变得更好。我的实验室研究有助于培养高素质人才：在过去的6年里，我培训了19名，目前正在培训2名这样的人，包括本科生和研究生。其中一些人后来成为了成功的研究人员；另一些人在不同的行业工作，从而为加拿大的科学和经济发展做出了贡献。我实施的举措将有助于消除进入加拿大的障碍，促进个人的招募、留住和发展，从而为尽可能多的合格加拿大人打开大门。在接下来的5年里，我的研究计划将至少再培养18名高素质的人才，为加拿大的科学和经济发展做出贡献。

Skeletal muscles play vital roles additional to their involvement in movement, as demonstrated by myriads of problems that develop when muscle mass/quality/functions are suboptimal. Muscles are a major contributor to whole body utilization and metabolism of nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. The overall focus of my research program is the basic understanding of the mechanisms by which nutrients in our foods and their metabolites regulate muscle mass and wellbeing under normal conditions, as well as in situations of muscle disorders Nutrients in our diets (called amino acids) can control the weight of our muscles but we do not know who they work. Studies in our research program suggest that breakdown of some of these amino acids may regulate formation of muscle cells. In the next 5 years of my research program, we will seek to understand why and how this works. We will carry out these objectives: 1.Examine mechanisms of regulation of the enzymes that control amino acid catabolism when muscle cells are formed. 2.Study whether factors that regulate formation of muscle cells also control breakdown of amino acids. 3.Examine if the enzymes that break down amino acids also control formation of muscle cells. 4.Study whether, when muscles are damaged or muscle mass diminishes because of other reasons, the actions of these enzymes are needed to repair muscle. We will use a combination of novel approaches and techniques to examine those topics. The knowledge gap that exists because of a lack of information on how nutrients we consume are used to regulate the mass of our muscles puts a limit on our understanding of the way our body works. Our work will help to bridge this gap. Results of our work may also help Canadians who want to gain more knowledge about how to keep their muscles in good condition and for much longer, and how to help their muscles get better if muscle damage happens. Research in my laboratory helps to train high quality personnel: in the last 6 years, I have trained 19 and am currently training 2 of such people, including undergraduate and graduate students. Some of these have gone on to become successful researchers; others are working in diverse industries, thus contributing to scientific and economic developments of Canada. I implement initiatives that will help to remove barriers to access and to promote recruitment, retention, and development of individuals in such a way as to open doors for as many qualified Canadians as possible. In the next 5 years, my research program will train at least 18 more high quality personnel that will contribute to science and economic developments of Canada.