Abstract: Myostatin（MSTN），growth differentiation factor 8, is a negative control factor which control muscle growth .It is also discovere another important nutrition gene which influenced lean meat rate of livestock and improve meat character. It can negatively control muscle cells growth by inhibiting transcription activity of MyoD family member. It is a negative correlation between expression of MSTN and change of muscle weight. In this paper，we reviewed the discovery, basic research and progress of MSTN in various animals. We also discussed the application prospect of this gene.

Key words: myostatin; muscle growth; negative control factor