The congenital muscular dystrophies: recent advances and molecular insights.
Over the past decade, molecular understanding of the congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) has greatly expanded. The diseases can be classified into 3 major groups based on the affected genes and the location of their expressed protein: abnormalities of extracellular matrix proteins (LAMA2, COL6A1, COL6A2, COL6A3), abnormalities of membrane receptors for the extracellular matrix (fukutin, POMGnT1, POMT1, POMT2, FKRP, LARGE, and ITGA7), and abnormal endoplasmic reticulum protein (SEPN1). The diseases begin in the perinatal period or shortly thereafter. A specific diagnosis can be challenging because the muscle pathology is usually not distinctive. Immunostaining of muscle using a battery of antibodies can help define a disorder that will need confirmation by gene testing. In muscle diseases with overlapping pathological features, such as CMD, careful attention to the clinical clues (e.g., family history, central nervous system features) can help guide the battery of immunostains necessary to target an unequivocal diagnosis.
Mendell
Jerry R
JR
Department of Pediatrics, Columbus Children's Hospital and Research Institute and The Ohio State University, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. mendellj@ccri.net
Boué
Daniel R
DR
Martin
Paul T
PT
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009154:Mutation; D016024:Receptors, Cytoadhesin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051140:Selenoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D016024:Receptors, Cytoadhesin; C435489:SELENON protein, human; D051140:Selenoproteins