title: Association of syncoilin and desmin: linking intermediate filament proteins to the dystrophin-associated protein complex.
abstract: We recently identified a novel protein called syncoilin, a putative intermediate filament protein that interacts with alpha-dystrobrevin, a member of the dystrophin-associated protein complex. Syncoilin is found at the neuromuscular junction, sarcolemma, and Z-lines and is thought to be important for muscle fiber integrity. Based on the similar protein structure and cellular localization of syncoilin and desmin, we proposed that these proteins interact in vivo. The data presented confirm an interaction between syncoilin and desmin and demonstrate their co-localization in skeletal muscle. Intriguingly, whereas these proteins interact, COS-7 cell expression studies show that desmin and syncoilin do not assemble into heterofilaments. Furthermore, fractionation assay and immunofluorescence study of H2K myoblasts and myotubes suggest that, unlike typical intermediate filament proteins, syncoilin does not participate in filament formation with any protein. However, it is possible that syncoilin is involved in the anchoring of the desmin intermediate filament network at the sarcolemma and the neuromuscular junction. This interaction is likely to be important for maintaining muscle fiber integrity and may also link the dystrophin-associated protein complex to the cytoskeleton. The dysfunction or absence of syncoilin may result in the disruption of the intermediate filament network leading to muscle necrosis. Syncoilin is therefore an ideal candidate gene for muscular dystrophies and desmin-related myopathies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX13QX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Emily V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Howman
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Newey
authors.forename: Kay E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D003893:Desmin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015723:Gene Library; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D003893:Desmin; D016189:Dystrophin; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C503782:Sync protein, mouse