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Updated: May 22, 2026

Functional Characterization of Endogenously Expressed Human RYR1 Variants
Published on: June 9, 2021
Leaky ryanodine receptors in β-sarcoglycan deficient mice: a potential common defect in muscular dystrophy
Daniel C Andersson1, Albano C Meli, Steven Reiken
1Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. arm42@columbia.edu.
Background:
Disruption of the sarcolemma-associated dystrophin-glycoprotein complex underlies multiple forms of muscular dystrophy, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and sarcoglycanopathies. A hallmark of these disorders is muscle weakness. In a murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, mdx mice, cysteine-nitrosylation of the calcium release channel/ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) on the skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum causes depletion of the stabilizing subunit calstabin1 (FKBP12) from the RyR1 macromolecular complex. This results in a sarcoplasmic reticular calcium leak via defective RyR1 channels. This pathological intracellular calcium leak contributes to reduced calcium release and decreased muscle force production. It is unknown whether RyR1 dysfunction occurs also in other muscular dystrophies.
Methods:
To test this we used a murine model of Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy, deficient in β-sarcoglycan (Sgcb-/-).
Results:
Skeletal muscle RyR1 from Sgcb-/- deficient mice were oxidized, nitrosylated, and depleted of the stabilizing subunit calstabin1, which was associated with increased open probability of the RyR1 channels. Sgcb-/- deficient mice exhibited decreased muscle specific force and calcium transients, and displayed reduced exercise capacity. Treating Sgcb-/- mice with the RyR stabilizing compound S107 improved muscle specific force, calcium transients, and exercise capacity. We have previously reported similar findings in mdx mice, a murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that leaky RyR1 channels may underlie multiple forms of muscular dystrophy linked to mutations in genes encoding components of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. A common underlying abnormality in calcium handling indicates that pharmacological targeting of dysfunctional RyR1 could be a novel therapeutic approach to improve muscle function in Limb-Girdle and Duchenne muscular dystrophies.
Insights
Ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) dysfunction and calcium leak contribute to muscle weakness in Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy. RyR1 stabilization improved muscle function and exercise capacity in mouse models, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for multiple muscular dystrophies.
Area of Science:
- Muscle physiology and pathophysiology
- Molecular mechanisms of muscular dystrophy
- Calcium signaling in muscle
Background:
- Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex disruption causes muscular dystrophies like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- In mdx mice, RyR1 dysfunction leads to calcium leak and reduced muscle force.
- It was unknown if RyR1 dysfunction occurs in other muscular dystrophies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate RyR1 channel function in a murine model of Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy (Sgcb-/-).
- To determine if RyR1 stabilization can improve muscle function in Sgcb-/- mice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Sgcb-/- mouse model deficient in β-sarcoglycan.
- Analyzed skeletal muscle RyR1 oxidation, nitrosylation, and calstabin1 association.
- Assessed muscle specific force, calcium transients, and exercise capacity.
- Administered RyR1 stabilizing compound S107 to Sgcb-/- mice.
Main Results:
- Skeletal muscle RyR1 in Sgcb-/- mice showed oxidation, nitrosylation, and calstabin1 depletion, leading to increased RyR1 channel open probability.
- Sgcb-/- mice exhibited reduced muscle force, impaired calcium transients, and decreased exercise capacity.
- Treatment with S107 improved muscle force, calcium transients, and exercise capacity in Sgcb-/- mice, mirroring findings in mdx mice.
Conclusions:
- Leaky RyR1 channels are implicated in multiple muscular dystrophies linked to the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex.
- Dysfunctional RyR1 and altered calcium handling represent a common abnormality.
- Targeting RyR1 pharmacologically offers a potential therapeutic strategy for Limb-Girdle and Duchenne muscular dystrophies.
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