This paper investigates the molecular differences between infant and adult skeletal muscles using proteomic and transcriptomic approaches. Researchers collected muscle biopsies from infants (aged 4-28 months) and adults (aged 19-65 years) to identify age-related changes. The study found significant differences in the expression of genes and proteins responsible for:

• Muscle structure
• Metabolism
• Immune responses

Structural and Metabolic Differences

In infants, muscle fibers are less mature, and processes related to development and growth are more active. In contrast, adult muscles are more focused on maintenance, with higher metabolic activity and protein regulation. The study also revealed differences in:

• Mitochondrial function
• Immune system pathways

Developmental and Aging Processes

Interestingly, some processes previously linked only to aging were found to be part of normal muscle development. These findings are crucial for understanding muscle function across different life stages and could help in developing therapies for muscle diseases.

Conclusion

By comparing muscle samples from infants and adults, this research underscores the importance of considering age-related differences in muscle studies. The findings from this study can serve as a reference for future research on muscle development and aging.