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Excitation contraction coupling in normal and mdx mice
S Hollingworth1, M W Marshall, E Robson
1Department of Physiological Sciences, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Muscle & Nerve
|January 1, 1990
Summary
The absence of dystrophin protein in Duchenne muscular dystrophy models does not affect intramembrane charge movement during excitation-contraction coupling. This suggests dystrophin
Area of Science:
- Muscle physiology
- Molecular biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Dystrophin protein is absent in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and mdx mice.
- Dystrophin is located at the surface membrane and triadic junction, associated with the transverse tubular membrane.
- The triadic junction is critical for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the absence of dystrophin affects intramembrane charge movement, a key step in EC coupling.
- To determine the role of dystrophin in the electrical properties of muscle membranes involved in EC coupling.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological measurements of intramembrane charge movement.
- Assessment of passive membrane electrical properties in muscles from mdx and normal mice.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in intramembrane charge movements between mdx mice and normal mice.
- Passive membrane electrical properties were also found to be similar in both groups.
Conclusions:
- The absence of dystrophin does not alter intramembrane charge movement in EC coupling.
- If dystrophin influences EC coupling, its role likely occurs after the charge movement step.