The present invention provides a substantially purified growth differentiation
factor (GDF) receptor, including a GDF-8 (myostatin) receptor, as well as functional
peptide portions thereof. In addition, the invention provides a virtual representation
of a GDF receptor or a functional peptide portion thereof. The present invention
also provides a method of modulating an effect of myostatin on a cell by contacting
the cell with an agent that affects myostatin signal transduction in the cell.
In addition, the invention provides a method of ameliorating the severity of a
pathologic condition, which is characterized, at least in part, by an abnormal
amount, development or metabolic activity of muscle or adipose tissue in a subject,
by modulating myostatin signal transduction in a muscle cell or an adipose tissue
cell in the subject. The invention also provides a method of modulating the growth
of muscle tissue or adipose tissue in a eukaryotic organism by administering an
agent that affects myostatin signal transduction to the organism.
