Regulation of myoglobin expression

Myoglobin is a well-characterized, cytoplasmic hemoprotein that is expressed primarily in cardiomyocytes and oxidative skeletal muscle fibers. However, recent studies also suggest low-level myoglobin expression in various non-muscle tissues. Prior studies incorporating molecular, pharmacological, physiological and transgenic technologies have demonstrated that myoglobin is an essential oxygen-storage hemoprotein capable of facilitating oxygen transport and modulating nitric oxide homeostasis within cardiac and skeletal myocytes. Concomitant with these studies, scientific investigations into the transcriptional regulation of myoglobin expression have been undertaken. These studies have indicated that activation of key transcription factors (MEF2, NFAT and Sp1) and co-activators (PGC-1alpha) by locomotor activity, differential intracellular calcium fluxes and low intracellular oxygen tension collectively regulate myoglobin expression. Future studies focused on tissue-specific transcriptional regulatory pathways and post-translational modifications governing myoglobin expression will need to be undertaken. Finally, further studies investigating the modulation of myoglobin expression under various myopathic processes may identify myoglobin as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of various cardiac and skeletal myopathies.