ABSTRACT
This cellular basis for postnatal muscle growth and regeneration has been realized over the past several decades (Allen et al. 1979; Campion 1984). Recently, investigations into satellite cell biology have intensied, thereby expanding our knowledge of this critical skeletal muscle cell. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight our current understanding of satellite cell biology. Specic topics include the expression of molecular markers during the satellite cell “life cycle,” biological signals critical to satellite cell regulation, and satellite cell contributions to skeletal muscle mass during various physiological states.
