The small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan biglycan binds to alpha-dystroglycan and is upregulated in dystrophic muscle

The dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the muscle cell plasma membrane and may also play a role in coordinating signaling events at the cell surface. The alpha-/beta-dystroglycan subcomplex of the DAPC forms a critical link between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. A ligand blot overlay assay was used to search for novel dystroglycan binding partners in postsynaptic membranes from Torpedo electric organ. An approximately 125-kD dystroglycan-binding polypeptide was purified and shown by peptide microsequencing to be the Torpedo ortholog of the small leucine-rich repeat chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan biglycan. Biglycan binding to alpha-dystroglycan was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation with both native and recombinant alpha-dystroglycan. The biglycan binding site was mapped to the COOH-terminal third of alpha-dystroglycan. Glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan is not necessary for this interaction, but binding is dependent upon the chondroitin sulfate side chains of biglycan. In muscle, biglycan is detected at both synaptic and nonsynaptic regions. Finally, biglycan expression is elevated in muscle from the dystrophic mdx mouse. These findings reveal a novel binding partner for alpha-dystroglycan and demonstrate a novel avenue for interaction of the DAPC and the extracellular matrix. These results also raise the possibility of a role for biglycan in the pathogenesis, and perhaps the treatment, of muscular dystrophy.     

Inosine-containing dsRNA binds a stress-granule-like complex and downregulates gene expression in trans

Long double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) may undergo extensive modification (hyperediting) by adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs), where up to 50% of adenosine (A) residues are changed to inosine (I). Traditionally, consequences of A-to-I editing were thought to be limited to modified RNA itself. We show here, however, that hyperedited dsRNA (I-dsRNA) is able to downregulate gene expression in trans. Furthermore, we show that both endogenous expression and reporter gene expression were substantially reduced in the presence of I-dsRNA. This was due to a reduction in reporter mRNA levels and also translation inhibition. Importantly, we show that I-dsRNA interferes with translation initiation. We also show that I-dsRNA specifically binds a stress-granule-like complex. Stress granules (SGs) are important for translational silencing during stress. Finally, we propose a model whereby editing by ADARs results in downregulation of gene expression via SG formation.     

Abnormal expression of the calmodulin gene in muscle from the dystrophic chicken

Compared to that of genetically-related normal chickens, pectoralis muscle from the dystrophic chicken contained increased calmodulin measured by radioimmunoassay. Determined by the dot blot procedure, expression of the calmodulin gene was enhanced in muscle from affected animals. The bioactivity of the gene product was normal. Together with previous studies reporting increased cell Ca2+ content in dystrophic muscle, the current findings of increased sarcoplasmic calmodulin suggest the latter is a cellular response to defective Ca2+ transport at the level of cell efflux or intracellular organelle (sarcoplasmic reticulum) uptake.     

The centromere-kinetochore complex: a repeat subunit model

The three-dimensional structure of the kinetochore and the DNA/protein composition of the centromere-kinetochore region was investigated using two novel techniques, caffeine-induced detachment of unreplicated kinetochores and stretching of kinetochores by hypotonic and/or shear forces generated in a cytocentrifuge. Kinetochore detachment was confirmed by EM and immunostaining with CREST autoantibodies. Electron microscopic analyses of serial sections demonstrated that detached kinetochores represented fragments derived from whole kinetochores. This was especially evident for the seven large kinetochores in the male Indian muntjac that gave rise to 80-100 fragments upon detachment. The kinetochore fragments, all of which interacted with spindle microtubules and progressed through the entire repertoire of mitotic movements, provide evidence for a subunit organization within the kinetochore. Further support for a repeat subunit model was obtained by stretching or uncoiling the metaphase centromere-kinetochore complex by hypotonic treatments. When immunostained with CREST autoantibodies and subsequently processed for in situ hybridization using synthetic centromere probes, stretched kinetochores displayed a linear array of fluorescent subunits arranged in a repetitive pattern along a centromeric DNA fiber. In addition to CREST antigens, each repetitive subunit was found to bind tubulin and contain cytoplasmic dynein, a microtubule motor localized in the zone of the corona. Collectively, the data suggest that the kinetochore, a plate-like structure seen by EM on many eukaryotic chromosomes is formed by the folding of a linear DNA fiber consisting of tandemly repeated subunits interspersed by DNA linkers. This model, unlike any previously proposed, can account for the structural and evolutional diversity of the kinetochore and its relationship to the centromere of eukaryotic chromosomes of many species.     

Stable restoration of the sarcoglycan complex in dystrophic muscle perfused with histamine and a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies 2C-F represent a family of autosomal recessive diseases caused by defects in sarcoglycan genes. The cardiomyopathic hamster is a naturally occurring model for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy caused by a primary deficiency in delta-sarcoglycan. We show here that acute sarcolemmal disruption occurs in this animal model during forceful muscle contraction. A recombinant adeno-associated virus vector encoding human delta-sarcoglycan conferred efficient and stable genetic reconstitution in the adult cardiomyopathic hamster when injected directly into muscle. A quantitative assay demonstrated that vector-transduced muscle fibers are stably protected from sarcolemmal disruption; there was no associated inflammation or immunologic response to the vector-encoded protein. Efficient gene transduction with rescue of the sarcoglycan complex in muscle fibers of the distal hindlimb was also obtained after infusion of recombinant adeno-associated virus into the femoral artery in conjunction with histamine-induced endothelial permeabilization. This study provides a strong rationale for the development of gene therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.     

Abnormal expression of a serine protease in human dystrophic muscle

The activities of serine protease in muscles from normal persons and from patients with progressive muscular and neuromuscular diseases have been determined. A significant increase in the level of serine protease was found in muscle of patients with Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy and with Becker-type muscular dystrophy, but the activity was not increased in muscle of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.     

Alterations of lipid composition in a dystrophic muscle cell line

The composition of neutral lipids and phospholipids was determined in normal (Cb7) and dystrophic (DyA4) cell lines, derived from cloned satellite cells from control and dystrophic C57BL/6J/dydy mice. The results obtained showed that dystrophic cells contain a higher relative distribution of phospholipids than their normal counterparts. Moreover, the distribution of individual phospholipids differs between normal and dystrophic cells, with increased percentage of acidic phospholipids and reduced proportion of phosphatidylcholine in dystrophic cells. Cholesterol was increased but free fatty acids decreased in dystrophic cells. The possible pathogenetic significance and functional consequences of these abnormalities are discussed.     

Adrenoleukodystrophy: a complex chromosomal rearrangement in the Xq28 red/green-color-pigment gene region indicates two possible gene localizations.

We have characterized a complex chromosomal rearrangement in band Xq28, in an adrenoleukodystrophy patient who also has blue-cone monochromacy. A 130-kb region upstream from the color-vision pigment genes was isolated as yeast artificial chromosome or cosmid clones. Another Xq28 sequence, not included in the above region, was obtained by cloning a deletion breakpoint from the patient. Using probes derived from the cloned sequences, we have shown that the rearrangement affects the color-pigment genes and includes two deletions, most likely separated by a large (greater than 110-kb) inversion. One deletion encompasses part of the pigment gene cluster and 33 kb of upstream sequences and accounts for the patient's blue-cone monochromacy. If this rearrangement also caused ALD, the disease gene would be expected to lie within or close to one of the deletions. However, deletions were not detected in a 50-kb region upstream of the red-color-pigment gene in 81 other ALD patients. Two CpG islands were mapped, at 46 and 115 kb upstream from the pigment genes.