Compounds identified by screening that inhibit the activity of transcription factor FOXO1/3a suppress dexamethasone-induced atrogin1 expression in C2C12 myoblasts

Using a reporter assay system we screened a library of 472 compounds, and identified 1,25(OH)2D3, all-trans-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, cantharidin and magnolol that inhibit FOXO1/3a activity. These compounds suppressed the increase in Atrogin1 gene expression induced by dexamethasone in C2C12 myoblasts. Therefore, these compounds may prevent muscle atrophy by inhibiting FOXO1/3a activity.