Along with MyoD, Myf5, and MRF4, myogenin belongs to afamily of myogenic regulatory genes. A group oftranscription factors that are necessary for muscle growthare encoded by these genes. Multipotential mesodermalcells have been demonstrated to become myoblasts uponmyogenin transfection. Only cells originating from skeletalmuscle can express myogenin. Consequently, it is avaluable indicator for muscle-lineage tumours, as it ishighly expressed in alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas.