Proteomic Profiling of Myofiber Repair Annexins and Their Role in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Myofiber regeneration and membrane repair play crucial roles in maintaining the continuous physiological functioning of the neuromuscular system. A swift and efficient repair mechanism enables the rapid restoration of sarcolemmal integrity following cellular impairment in damaged skeletal muscles. Members of the annexin family of proteins, which are characterized by the peripheral binding to acidic phospholipid membranes, are intrinsically involved in this myofiber repair process. The biochemical and proteomic profiling of dystrophinopathy, a severe and highly progressive neuromuscular disorder of early childhood, is outlined in this article with special focus on skeletal muscle-associated annexins and their role in membrane repair, myofiber regeneration and the cellular pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Findings from comparative mass spectrometry-based surveys are described, and dystrophinopathy-related alterations in annexin expression patterns are discussed regarding the establishment of improved biomarker signatures of skeletal muscle wasting disorders. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic profiling is highly suitable for the systematic study of complex pathobiochemical alterations and inherent adaptations in dystrophinopathy. Disease-specific changes in annexins and related proteins of the membrane repair machinery can now be used to improve diagnosis, evaluation of disease severity, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring, and identify novel therapeutic targets to treat X-linked muscular dystrophy.