Decreased expression of laminin beta 1 in chromosome 21-linked Bethlem myopathy.
Muscle biopsies of four patients affected by chromosome 21-linked Bethlem myopathy were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry, with monoclonal antibodies for laminin chains, dystrophin and dystrophin associated glycoproteins. The objective of this study was to determine whether an altered molecular structure of collagen type VI, characteristic of Bethlem myopathy, could influence the expression of the protein complex linking the extracellular matrix with the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton. Normal expression of all proteins was found except for laminin beta 1, along with an age related progressive deficiency of this protein in the muscle fibre basal lamina. This study shows that Bethlem myopathy linked to chromosome 21 is associated with a secondary decrease in laminin beta 1 expression.
Laboratory of Neuromuscular Pathology, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy. merlini@ior.it
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L
Merlini
M
M
Villanova
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P
Sabatelli
A
A
Malandrini
N M
NM
Maraldi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / Q000235:genetics*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D049030:Dystroglycans; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000032:analysis; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C483081:DAG1 protein, human; D016189:Dystrophin; D007797:Laminin; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D049030:Dystroglycans