Marathon Mouse

A strain of genetically engineered mouse with increased muscle expression of PPAR-delta, which turns muscle into type I (slow twitch) fibers that are optimal for long-distance running. Marathon mice have much greater endurance and resistance to obesity

References in periodicals archive ?

Using two complementary mouse models-the "marathon mouse" and the "couch potato mouse"-to make, researchers discovered that microRNAs link the two defining characteristics of fit muscles: the ability to burn sugar and fat and the ability to switch between slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers.

'Marathon mice' and 'couch potato mice' help find key to muscle fitness

Building on research that produced a genetically altered "marathon mouse" in 2004, scientists have shown that a drug called AICAR can boost the running endurance of mice by about 45 percent--exercise not required.

Take two and run farther in the morning: drugs improve muscular endurance in lab mice

"You're taking a couch potato mouse, treating them with a drug and converting them into a marathon mouse, if you will," My Fox Houston.com quoted Narkar as saying.

Next up, a 'pill' for couch potatoes who can't exercise

"This change produced the 'marathon mouse,' able to run twice the distance of its normal littermate" Evans says.