Expression and localization of dystrophin in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes

We examined the expression and localization of dystrophin in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry using an antidystrophin antibody. Western blot analysis showed a single band with a molecular weight of about 400 kd. Immunohistochemical staining also detected dystrophin in cultured cardiac myocytes, and it was found primarily around the nucleus on day 2 of culture, the area and degree of staining increased on days 4 and 7, and most cells were stained almost entirely on day 14. We conclude that dystrophin also is expressed in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, and that it increases with time, and extends from the perinuclear area to the whole cell.