Dystroglycan: emerging roles in mammary gland function.
Dystroglycan (DG) is a single receptor that binds to multiple basement membrane proteins and forms a transmembrane link to the actin cytoskeleton. It was first isolated as a component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, which plays a role in the maintenance of muscle cell integrity and is defective in many muscular dystrophies. Although studied most extensively in muscle tissues, DG is present at most cell-basement membrane interfaces, and only recently has investigation of DG functions in nonmuscle cells gained momentum. Information emerging from recent studies in epithelial cells is implicating DG in a wide range of critical cell responses to the basement membrane, ranging from organization of tissue architecture to cell survival. Moreover, DG functions appear to be frequently absent in carcinoma cells, implicating its loss in cancer progression. Although many questions remain as to its precise role in mammary tissue, DG is emerging as a potentially important player in mammary gland function.
Cancer Research Department, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California 94115, USA.
M Lynn
ML
Weir
John
J
Muschler
D000818:Animals; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D049030:Dystroglycans; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C483081:DAG1 protein, human; D008024:Ligands; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D049030:Dystroglycans