title: Function induced modifications of gene expression: an alternative approach to gene therapy of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
abstract: In Duchenne muscular dystrophy a large gene that codes for dystrophin is altered. The possibility that the defective gene/protein could be at least in part substituted by other molecules that the diseased muscle is able to produce and that have a function similar to that of dystrophin is being discussed. Muscle fibres have a tremendous adaptive potential, and the expression of several protein isoforms can be induced by either stretch or long-term change of activity. The exploitation of this ability of muscle cells to express new genes, which would code for proteins that will not be alien to the individual, for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy is being considered. The argument for this approach is strengthened by results that in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy the progress of the disease can be slowed with changes of muscle activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. g.vrbova@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gerta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vrbová
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000637:transplantation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016189:Dystrophin; D007473:Ion Channels