[The quantitative analysis of protein particles of erythrocyte membrane from Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and the gene carriers].
OBJECTIVE
To study the changes of the intramembrane protein particles of erythrocyte from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and the gene carriers and to explore the pathogenesis of DMD and the diagnostic value of erythrocyte freeze-fracture technology.


METHODS
The fixed erythrocyte mass was treated to form replica membrane by means of the freeze-fracture technology. Then the replica membrane was observed and a picture was taken under electron microscope. The protein particles of extracellular face(EF) and protoplasmic face(PF) per square were counted. The statistical comparative analysis was performed.


RESULTS
The protein particle counts of EF face and PF face of erythrocyte membrane from DMD patients and DMD carriers decreased obviously in comparison with the normal control group (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The erythrocyte freeze-fracture electron microscopic technology may serve as a method for accessory examination of diagnosing DMD patients and a method for detecting DMD carriers. This investigation material supplies reliable evidence for the theory of the systemic membrane defect of DMD.
Hong
Zhi-lin
ZL
Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, PR China. hong@pub1.qz.fj.cn
Murong
Shen-xing
SX
Zhong
Xiu-rong
XR
Lin
Min-ting
MT
Cheng
Wen-lie
WL
Lin
Xi
X
Wang
Ning
N
D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D008565:Membrane Proteins