Biomaterial Database

Molecular genetics of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy: emphasis on improved diagnosis. 1989

L M Kunkel, and A H Beggs, and E P Hoffman

Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle-wasting disorder affecting 1 in 3500 males. A less severe and less common form is Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Only recently has the basic defect in DMD and BMD been recognized: a region on the human X chromosome is disrupted by mutation. The primary transcript of the region was detected, and cDNA clones were isolated that encompassed the entire transcript. The sequence of the encoded protein was predicted from cDNA nucleotide sequence, portions of the protein were overexpressed in bacterial cells, and these peptides were used to generate immunoreagents against the DMD gene protein, dystrophin. The molecular genetic identification of this protein via analysis of mutations found in patients' material has led to a means of improved diagnosis of DMD/BMD in affected individuals and their family members. The severely affected DMD patients have little or no detectable dystrophin in their muscle, whereas BMD patients have nearly normal concentrations of an altered form of dystrophin; patients with all other neuromuscular diseases have normal dystrophin.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009124	Muscle Proteins	The protein constituents of muscle, the major ones being ACTINS and MYOSINS. More than a dozen accessory proteins exist including TROPONIN; TROPOMYOSIN; and DYSTROPHIN.	Muscle Protein,Protein, Muscle,Proteins, Muscle
D009136	Muscular Dystrophies	A heterogeneous group of inherited MYOPATHIES, characterized by wasting and weakness of the SKELETAL MUSCLE. They are categorized by the sites of MUSCLE WEAKNESS; AGE OF ONSET; and INHERITANCE PATTERNS.	Muscular Dystrophy,Myodystrophica,Myodystrophy,Dystrophies, Muscular,Dystrophy, Muscular,Myodystrophicas,Myodystrophies
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D002874	Chromosome Mapping	Any method used for determining the location of and relative distances between genes on a chromosome.	Gene Mapping,Linkage Mapping,Genome Mapping,Chromosome Mappings,Gene Mappings,Genome Mappings,Linkage Mappings,Mapping, Chromosome,Mapping, Gene,Mapping, Genome,Mapping, Linkage,Mappings, Chromosome,Mappings, Gene,Mappings, Genome,Mappings, Linkage
D003001	Cloning, Molecular	The insertion of recombinant DNA molecules from prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic sources into a replicating vehicle, such as a plasmid or virus vector, and the introduction of the resultant hybrid molecules into recipient cells without altering the viability of those cells.	Molecular Cloning
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015342	DNA Probes	Species- or subspecies-specific DNA (including COMPLEMENTARY DNA; conserved genes, whole chromosomes, or whole genomes) used in hybridization studies in order to identify microorganisms, to measure DNA-DNA homologies, to group subspecies, etc. The DNA probe hybridizes with a specific mRNA, if present. Conventional techniques used for testing for the hybridization product include dot blot assays, Southern blot assays, and DNA:RNA hybrid-specific antibody tests. Conventional labels for the DNA probe include the radioisotope labels 32P and 125I and the chemical label biotin. The use of DNA probes provides a specific, sensitive, rapid, and inexpensive replacement for cell culture techniques for diagnosing infections.	Chromosomal Probes,DNA Hybridization Probe,DNA Probe,Gene Probes, DNA,Conserved Gene Probes,DNA Hybridization Probes,Whole Chromosomal Probes,Whole Genomic DNA Probes,Chromosomal Probes, Whole,DNA Gene Probes,Gene Probes, Conserved,Hybridization Probe, DNA,Hybridization Probes, DNA,Probe, DNA,Probe, DNA Hybridization,Probes, Chromosomal,Probes, Conserved Gene,Probes, DNA,Probes, DNA Gene,Probes, DNA Hybridization,Probes, Whole Chromosomal
D016189	Dystrophin	A muscle protein localized in surface membranes which is the product of the Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy gene. Individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy usually lack dystrophin completely while those with Becker muscular dystrophy have dystrophin of an altered size. It shares features with other cytoskeletal proteins such as SPECTRIN and alpha-actinin but the precise function of dystrophin is not clear. One possible role might be to preserve the integrity and alignment of the plasma membrane to the myofibrils during muscle contraction and relaxation. MW 400 kDa.