Decreased Expression of Brain β-Dystroglycan in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy but Not in the mdx Animal Model

Autor: Finn, Denise M., Culligan, Kevin G., Ohlendieck, Kay
Zdroj: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications; August 1998, Vol. 249 Issue: 1 p231-235, 5p
Abstrakt: Abnormalities in the muscle dystrophin–glycoprotein complex are implicated in the molecular pathogenesis of various neuromuscular disorders. Weakening of the trans-sarcolemmal linkage between the actin membrane-cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix appears to trigger destabilization of the muscle cell periphery. In addition to muscular weakness, one-third of patients suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy exhibit mental retardation. Since little is known about the pathophysiology of brain abnormalities in these patients, we investigated the fate of the most abundant dystrophin-associated protein, β-dystroglycan, in the central nervous system. It was found to be present throughout all normal brain regions studied. In contrast, this glycoprotein was greatly reduced in brain microsomes derived from Duchenne specimens, while it is of normal abundance in the brain from the dystrophic animal model mdx. Deficiency in brain β-dystroglycan might render nervous tissue more susceptible to cellular disturbances and this may result in cognitive impairment in some Duchenne patients.
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