Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Modeling Myotonic Dystrophy 1 in C2C12 Myoblast Cells
Published on: July 29, 2016
IgG deficiency and expansion of CTG repeats in myotonic dystrophy
Pierre Kaminsky1, Jean François Lesesve, Philippe Jonveaux
1Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Hôpitaux de Brabois, Vandoeuvre Cedex, France. p.kaminsky@chu-nancy.fr
Objectives:
Expansion of CTG repeats in myotonic dystrophy (DM1) alters the regulated expression of numerous genes. It is considered to explain the major clinical features of DM1. IgG deficiency is common in DM1 and is due to altered FcRn-related hypercatabolism. We hypothesized that the IgG catabolic rate is correlated with CTG repeat expansion.
Methods:
Correlations between serum immunoglobulin levels, peripheral lymphocyte subset counts and CTG repeat numbers were performed in 52 DM1 patients.
Results:
Serum IgG and IgG1 levels were below the normal limit respectively in 54% and 72% of patients. Increasing CTG repeat numbers were significantly correlated with decreasing serum IgG and IgG1 levels, and with decreasing CD3(+) T-cell and CD3(+)-CD8(+) cell counts. An abnormal immunoglobulin profile at protein electrophoresis was found in 4 patients.
Conclusion:
We conclude that the catabolic rate of IgG is linked to expanded CTG repeats, possibly involving an altered immune response.
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Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life

