Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded the University of Missouri System $350,561 through the Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.846) for a two-year project running from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. The funded research investigates the role of syndecan-4, a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, in regulating satellite cell activity during muscle regeneration and myogenesis. The project builds on prior findings demonstrating that syndecan-4 deficiency impairs satellite cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation, and compromises in vivo muscle regeneration in mice.

The research deliverables focus on identifying the molecular mechanisms by which syndecan-4 integrates extracellular signals to coordinate myogenic progression. Using proximity-labeling techniques such as BioID, the project will map proteins that associate with specific interaction motifs on syndecan-4's intracellular domain—distinguishing those required for satellite cell proliferation versus differentiation. These findings are expected to advance understanding of musculoskeletal regeneration and potentially inform therapeutic approaches to muscle wasting and regenerative disorders.