Myofilament protein alterations promote physical disability in aging and disease.

Skeletal muscle contractile function declines with age and age-associated diseases. Although muscle atrophy undoubtedly contributes to this decrease, recent findings suggest that reduced myofilament protein content and function also may participate. Based on these data, we propose that age- and disease-related alterations in myofilament proteins represent one molecular mechanism contributing to the development of physical disability.