To this end, the following signal transduction pathways have emerged as particularly important with respect to the induction or inhibition of muscle wasting in the context of gastrointestinal diseases: myostatin, a member of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) protein family, exerts its inhibitory effects on skeletal muscle growth through its binding to the activin type 2B receptor and activation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad) 2 and 3 transcription factors.49 The gene discussed is MSTN; the disease is gastrointestinal disease.