Background information
Myotrophin (V-1 protein) is a ubiquitously expressed cytoplasmic protein that can translocate to the nucleus during sustained NFkB activation. The gene encoding for this protein localizes to chromosome 7q33. Myotrophin may be involved in cerebellar morphogenesis and contains an acetylated N-terminus and 2.5 internal 33 amino acid ankyrin repeats. It is important in the differentiation of cerebellar neurons, particularly of granule cells. The 117 amino acid protein has been associated with, and able to induce, cardiac hypertrophy. Myotrophin increases protooncogene, ANF and Beta-Myosin heavy chain transcript levels. Myotrophin is upregulated when myocytes undergo cyclic stretch or are treated with tumor necrosis factor Alpha (TNF Alpha) or interleukin-1Beta. Highest levels of Myotrophin are detected in brain and lowest levels in skeletal muscle.
