Growth-hormone secretagogues & GH-axis peptides
Follistatin (FS-344)
Also known as follistatin 344 · FST
A secreted glycoprotein that binds and neutralises myostatin and activin — studied as a route to muscle growth in muscle-disease research.
In 60 seconds
Investigated mainly through gene-therapy approaches in muscle-disease research; no approved follistatin medicine. Because it also neutralises activins, effects extend beyond muscle (including reproductive hormones).
- Reviews myostatin-pathway inhibition, with emphasis on follistatin, as a strategy in genetic muscle disorders.
- Reviews follistatin as a binding protein that neutralises many TGF-β family members, first described in FSH regulation.
- Identified a short peptide from follistatin’s N-terminal domain that inhibits myostatin.
Mechanism
Follistatin binds TGF-β-superfamily ligands, most notably myostatin (a negative regulator of muscle growth) and activin A, preventing them from signalling. Blocking myostatin this way increases muscle mass in animal models.
Research status
Investigated mainly through gene-therapy approaches in muscle-disease research; no approved follistatin medicine.
Key studies
Reviews myostatin-pathway inhibition, with emphasis on follistatin, as a strategy in genetic muscle disorders.
Inhibition of myostatin with emphasis on follistatin as a therapy for muscle disease — Muscle Nerve, 2009 · PMID 19208403
Reviews follistatin as a binding protein that neutralises many TGF-β family members, first described in FSH regulation.
Follistatin — Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 1998 · PMID 9785474
Identified a short peptide from follistatin’s N-terminal domain that inhibits myostatin.
Discovery of a follistatin-derived myostatin inhibitory peptide — Bioorg Med Chem Lett, 2020 · PMID 31874826
Examined circulating myostatin, follistatin and GDF11 against muscle strength and power in older adults.
Relationship of muscle function to circulating myostatin, follistatin and GDF11 in older women and men — BMC Geriatr, 2018 · PMID 30165829
Safety signals in the literature
Because it also neutralises activins, effects extend beyond muscle (including reproductive hormones). Human data are limited to small gene-therapy studies.
Legal status (South Africa)
Not a registered medicine for human use in South Africa unless SAHPRA-registered under its own name; growth-hormone secretagogues are prohibited in sport under the WADA list. Supplied, where we stock it, strictly for laboratory research.
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Comparisons
Questions
What is Follistatin (FS-344)?
A secreted glycoprotein that binds and neutralises myostatin and activin — studied as a route to muscle growth in muscle-disease research. Follistatin binds TGF-β-superfamily ligands, most notably myostatin (a negative regulator of muscle growth) and activin A, preventing them from signalling. Blocking myostatin this way increases muscle mass in animal models.
What is the research status of Follistatin (FS-344)?
Investigated mainly through gene-therapy approaches in muscle-disease research; no approved follistatin medicine.
What safety signals are reported for Follistatin (FS-344)?
Because it also neutralises activins, effects extend beyond muscle (including reproductive hormones). Human data are limited to small gene-therapy studies.
Does Living Water Labs stock Follistatin (FS-344)?
Not at present. Follistatin (FS-344) is profiled here for reference, with citations to the published literature. You can ask to be notified if we add it. Not a registered medicine for human use in South Africa unless SAHPRA-registered under its own name; growth-hormone secretagogues are prohibited in sport under the WADA list. Supplied, where we stock it, strictly for laboratory research.
More in GH secretagogues
Research reference only. This page summarises published literature; it is not medical advice and contains no guidance on human use. Products supplied by Living Water Labs are for laboratory research only.
