Muscular dystrophies involving the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex: an overview of current mouse models
Författare
Summary, in English
The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) is a multisubunit complex that connects the cytoskeleton of a muscle fiber to its surrounding extracellular matrix. Mutations in the DGC disrupt the complex and lead to muscular dystrophy. There are a few naturally occurring animal models of DGC-associated muscular dystrophy (e.g. the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse, dystrophic golden retriever dog, HFMD cat and the delta-sarcoglycan-deficient BIO 14.6 cardiomyopathic hamster) that share common genetic protein abnormalities similar to those of the human disease. However, the naturally occurring animal models only partially resemble human disease. In addition, no naturally occurring mouse models associated with loss of other DGC components are available. This has encouraged the generation of genetically engineered mouse models for DGC-linked muscular dystrophy. Not only have analyses of these mice led to a significant improvement in our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of muscular dystrophy, but they will also be immensely valuable tools for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for these incapacitating diseases.
Publiceringsår
2002
Språk
Engelska
Sidor
349-361
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
Volym
12
Issue
3
Dokumenttyp
Artikel i tidskrift
Förlag
Elsevier
Ämne
- Medical Genetics
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1879-0380