The Protein Synthesis Trigger is the initiation event, often involving mechanical strain or acute anabolic hormone exposure, that signals muscle tissue to transition from a net protein balance state toward net protein accretion. This trigger activates the intracellular machinery responsible for translating mRNA into new myofibrillar proteins. It is the critical first step in muscle adaptation and hypertrophy.
Origin
Rooted in molecular biology and muscle physiology, this concept isolates the primary signal required to overcome the baseline turnover rate and begin building new tissue. It is the necessary upstream event for anabolic pathways to engage.
Mechanism
The primary trigger often involves mechanical tension sensed by the muscle cell, leading to the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling cascade, culminating in the phosphorylation and activation of the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1). This activation directly increases the rate of translational initiation and elongation, effectively opening the cellular ‘factory’ for protein production. Hormones like testosterone amplify the sensitivity of this trigger mechanism.
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