Molecular biology of distal muscular dystrophies--sarcomeric proteins on top

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2007 Feb;1772(2):145-58. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2006.08.005. Epub 2006 Aug 18.

Abstract

During the last 10 years several muscular dystrophies within the group of distal myopathies have been clarified as to the molecular genetic cause of the disease. Currently, the next steps are carried out to identify the molecular pathogenesis downstream of the gene defects. Some early ideas on what is going on in the muscle cells based on the defect proteins are emerging. However, in no single distal muscular dystrophy these efforts have yet reached the point where direct trials for therapy would have been launched, and in many distal dystrophies the causative gene is still lacking. When comparing the gene defects in the distal dystrophies with the more common proximal muscular dystrophies such as dystrophinopathies or limb-girdle muscular dystrophies, there is a striking difference: the genes for distal dystrophies encode sarcomere proteins whereas the genes for proximal dystrophies more often encode sarcolemmal proteins.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Distal Myopathies / genetics
  • Distal Myopathies / metabolism*
  • Distal Myopathies / pathology*
  • Distal Myopathies / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Muscle Proteins / chemistry
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics*
  • Muscle Proteins / physiology*
  • Sarcomeres / chemistry*
  • Sarcomeres / metabolism
  • Sarcomeres / pathology*

Substances

  • Muscle Proteins