Immunofluorescence microscopy of a myopathy : α-Actinin is a major constituent of nemaline rods

A biopsy of skeletal muscle taken from a child with the clinical symptoms of congenital nemaline myopathy was studied. Light and electron microscopy revealed rod-like structures within the muscle fibres, and thus confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Indirect immunofluorescence, using specific antibodies against actin and desmin (both derived from chicken gizzard) as well as against α-actinin and tropomyosin (both from porcine skeletal muscle) revealed that the rods consist of massive accumulations of α-actinin. Desmin seems to be peripherally associated with the rods. Anti-actin and anti-tropomyosin did not stain the rods; however, a masking effect could not be ruled out. These findings support previous hypotheses that nemaline rods can be taken to be lateral-polymers of normal Z-disks.