Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of kinase inhibitors include Src, Syk, Abl, Tie, Flt, ErbB, Trk, PRKDC, and Yes families to repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing mature myotubes are provided herein. In some instances, the method involves contacting a myoblast in an in vitro culture with a compound, wherein the contacting the myoblast in the in vitro culture with the compound results in generation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells. In some cases, methods of treatment are provided involving treating a subject with a compound such as a Chk1 inhibitor in order to treat muscle deficiency. The compound may be administered as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with a cell therapy, such as introduction of muscle precursor cells such as satellite cells or myoblasts. Methods for identifying compounds that induce formation of mature myotubes or myotube-like cells from myoblasts are also provided herein, as well as methods of using the identified compounds to treat subjects.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of kinase inhibitors include Src, Syk, Abl, Tie, Flt, ErbB, Trk, PRKDC, and Yes families to repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases or disorders. In some cases, the methods and compositions involve the use of methyltransferase inhibitors to inhibit or repress DUX4 expression in muscle cells. Further disclosed herein are methods and cell based assays for screening compounds for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases.