Infection with melusin‐expressing adeno‐associated virus ameliorated contractile properties of 7 day unloaded muscles (P ≤ 0.05) and relieved myofiber atrophy (−33%) by reducing Atrogin‐1 and MurF‐1 transcripts (P ≤ 0.002), despite of a two‐fold increase in FoxO3 protein levels (P = 0.03). The gene discussed is FOXO3; the disease is infection.