Search

ATP1B4 genes represent a rare instance of orthologous vertebrate gene co-option that radically changed properties of the encoded BetaM proteins, which function as Na,K-ATPase subunits in lower vertebrates and birds. Eutherian BetaM has lost its ancestral function and became a muscle-specific resident of the inner nuclear membrane. Our earlier work implicated BetaM in regulation of gene expression through direct interaction with the transcriptional co-regulator SKIP. To gain insight into evolution of BetaM interactome we performed expanded screening of eutherian and avian cDNA libraries using yeast-two-hybrid and split-ubiquitin systems. The inventory of identified BetaM interactors includes lamina-associated protein LAP-1, myocyte nuclear envelope protein Syne1, BetaM itself, heme oxidases HMOX1 and HMOX2; transcription factor LZIP/CREB3, ERGIC3, PHF3, reticulocalbin-3 and β-sarcoglycan. No new interactions were found for chicken BetaM and human Na,K-ATPase β1, β2 and β3 isoforms, indicating the uniqueness of eutherian BetaM interactome. Analysis of truncated forms of BetaM indicates that residues 72-98 adjacent to the membrane in nucleoplasmic domain are important for the interaction with SKIP. These findings demonstrate that evolutionary alterations in structural and functional properties of eutherian BetaM proteins are associated with the increase in its interactome complexity.

Contains fulltext : 167647.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) BACKGROUND: As little information is available on children with non-classic presentations of Pompe disease, we wished to gain knowledge of specific clinical characteristics and genotypes. We included all patients younger than 18 years, who had been evaluated at the Pompe Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, between 1975 and 2012, excluding those with the classic-infantile form. None were treated with enzyme replacement therapy at the time of evaluation. We collected information on first symptoms, diagnosis, use of a wheelchair and/or respirator, and enzyme and mutation analysis and assessed muscle strength, pulmonary function, and cardiac parameters. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients participated. Median age at symptom onset was 2.6 years (range 0.5-13y) and at diagnosis 4.0 years. Most first problems were delayed motor development and problems related to limb-girdle weakness. Fatigue, persistent diarrhea and problems in raising the head in supine position were other first complaints. Ten patients were asymptomatic at time of diagnosis. Five of them developed symptoms before inclusion in this study. Over 50 % of all patients had low or absent reflexes, a myopathic face, and scoliosis; 29 % were underweight. Muscle strength of the neck flexors, hip extensors, hip flexors, and shoulder abductors were most frequently reduced. Pulmonary function was decreased in over 48 % of the patients; 2 patients had cardiac hypertrophy. Patients with mutations other than the c.-32-13T > G were overall more severely affected, while 18 out of the 21 patients (86 %) with the c.-32-13T > G/'null' genotype were male. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that Pompe disease can present with severe mobility and respiratory problems during childhood. Pompe disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children with less familiar signs such as disproportional weakness of the neck flexors, unexplained fatigue, persistent diarrhea and unexplained high CK/ASAT/ALAT. Disease presentation appears to be different from adult patients. The majority of affected children with GAA genotype c.-32-13T > G/'null' appeared to be male.

Audo, Isabelle, et al., Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a heterogeneous retinal disorder characterized by visual impairment under low light conditions. This disorder is due to a signal transmission defect from rod photoreceptors to adjacent bipolar cells in the retina. Two forms can be distinguished clinically, complete CSNB (cCSNB) or incomplete CSNB; the two forms are distinguished on the basis of the affected signaling pathway. Mutations in NYX, GRM6, and TRPM1, expressed in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) lead to disruption of the ON-bipolar cell response and have been seen in patients with cCSNB. Whole-exome sequencing in cCSNB patients lacking mutations in the known genes led to the identification of a homozygous missense mutation (c.1807C>T [p.His603Tyr]) in one consanguineous autosomal-recessive cCSNB family and a homozygous frameshift mutation in GPR179 (c.278delC [p.Pro93Glnfs57]) in a simplex male cCSNB patient. Additional screening with Sanger sequencing of 40 patients identified three other cCSNB patients harboring additional allelic mutations in GPR179. Although, immunhistological studies revealed Gpr179 in the OPL in wild-type mouse retina, Gpr179 did not colocalize with specific ON-bipolar markers. Interestingly, Gpr179 was highly concentrated in horizontal cells and Müller cell endfeet. The involvement of these cells in cCSNB and the specific function of GPR179 remain to be elucidated., The project was supported by GIS-maladies rares (C.Z.), Retina France ([part of the 100-Exome Project] I.A., C.P.H., J.-A.S., H.D. and C.Z.), Foundation Voir et Entendre (C.Z.), Agence National de la Recherche (S.S.B), Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) grant CD-CL-0808-0466-CHNO (I.A. and the CIC503, recognized as an FFB center), FFB grant C-CMM-0907-0428-INSERM04, Ville de Paris and Région Ille de France, the French Association against Myopathy (AFM) grant KBM-14390 (O.P.), and National Institutes of Health grant 1R01EY020902-01A1 (K.B.).

International audience; The collagen ColQ anchors acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the synaptic cleft of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). It also binds MuSK and perlecan/dystroglycan, 2 signaling platforms of the postsynaptic domain. Mutations in ColQ cause a congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) with AChE deficiency. Because the absence of AChE does not fully explain the complexity of the syndrome and there is no curative treatment for the disease, we explored additional potential targets of ColQ by conducting a large genetic screening of ColQ-deficient mice, a model for CMS with AChE deficiency, and analyzed their NMJ and muscle phenotypes. We demonstrated that ColQ controls the development and the maturation of the postsynaptic domain by regulating synaptic gene expression. Notably, ColQ deficiency leads to an up-regulation of the 5 subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), leading to mixed mature and immature AChRs at the NMJ of adult mice. ColQ also regulates the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. However, whereas the ECM mRNAs were down-regulated in vitro, compensation seemed to occur in vivo to maintain normal levels of these mRNAs. Finally, ColQ deficiency leads to a general atrophic phenotype and hypoplasia that affect fast muscles. This study points to new specific hallmarks for this CMS.Sigoillot, S. M., Bourgeois, F., Karmouch, J., Molgo, J., Dobbertin, A., Chevalier, C., Houlgatte, R., Leger, J., Legay, C. Neuromuscular junction immaturity and muscle atrophy are hallmarks of the ColQ-deficient mouse, a model of congenital myasthenic syndrome with acetylcholinesterase deficiency.

Pharmacotherapy remains the cornerstone in the treatment of heart failure. There is a wide variability in the individual's response to treatment, which is at least partially ascribed to genetic factors. Pharmacogenetics studies the differential clinical effects due to genetic variances. Some effects of the major neurohormonal inhibitors like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors and beta-blockers are importantly modulated by genetic polymorphisms. So far, however, this does not result in standard genetic testing before starting specific therapy. This review discusses several important pharmacogenetic targets. Furthermore, it is argued that new and sophisticated high-throughput genetic screens could be employed to develop pharmacogenetic screening further. Prospective large-scale pharmacogenetic studies are warranted as we believe that they will identify new targets for therapy and specific populations that benefit from specific treatments.

Introduction: We explored the use of quantitative muscle ultrasonography (QMUS) for follow-up of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Methods: Seven JDM patients were evaluated at diagnosis and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months using the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS) and QMUS. Muscle thickness (MT) and quantitative muscle echo intensity (EI) were assessed with QMUS in 4 muscles. Results: Six patients experienced a monocyclic course. At diagnosis EI was slightly increased, and MT was relatively normal. After start of treatment MT first decreased and EI increased, with normalization of EI within 6-12 months (n = 4). One patient had higher EIs at diagnosis and slower normalization, indicating fibrosis, despite early normalization of CMAS. One patient experienced a chronic course, with high EIs and atrophy during follow-up. Conclusions: QMUS can provide additional information for follow-up of JDM regarding disease severity and residual muscle damage, particularly after normalization of CMAS.

Item does not contain fulltext PURPOSE: The aims of this review were (1) to provide insight into the natural course of upper-extremity (UE) impairments and UE activity limitations associated with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD), and (2) to provide an overview of outcome measures used to evaluate UE function and activity in patients with FSHD and LGMD. METHODS: Scientific literature databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane) were searched for relevant publications. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) studies that included persons with a diagnosis of FSHD or LGMD; and (2) studies that reported the natural course of the UE functions and/or activity with outcome measures at these levels. RESULTS: 247 publications were screened, of which 16 fulfilled the selection criteria. Most studies used manual muscle testing (MMT) to evaluate UE function and the Brooke Scale to evaluate UE mobility activities. The clinical picture of UE impairments and limitations of UE activities in FSHD and LGMD patients was highly variable. In general, FSHD and LGMD patients experience difficulty elevating their upper extremities and the execution of tasks takes considerably longer time. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course of UE impairments and activity limitations associated with FSHD and LGMD is difficult to predict due to its high variability. Although measures like MMT and the Brooke Scale are often used, there is a lack of more specific outcome measures to assess UE function and UE capacity and performance in daily life. Measures such as 3D motion analysis and electromyography (EMG) recordings are recommended to provide additional insight in UE function. Questionnaires like the Abilhand are recommended to assess UE capacity and accelerometry to assess UE performance in daily life. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: There is a need for specific outcome measures on the level of UE activity. Both the level of capacity and performance should be assessed. Possible outcome measures include 3D motion analysis to assess UE function, questionnaires like the Abilhand to assess UE capacity and accelerometry to assess performance of UE activities in daily life.

International audience; We investigated the molecular mechanisms for in-frame skipping of DMD exon 39 caused by the nonsense c.5480T>A mutation in a patient with Becker muscular dystrophy. RNase-assisted pull down assay coupled with mass spectrometry revealed that the mutant RNA probe specifically recruits hnRNPA1, hnRNPA2/B1 and DAZAP1. Functional studies in a human myoblast cell line transfected with DMD mini-genes confirmed the splicing inhibitory activity of hn-RNPA1 and hnRNPA2/B1, and showed that DAZAP1, also known to activate splicing, acts negatively in the context of the mutated exon 39. Furthermore, we uncovered that recognition of endogenous DMD exon 39 in muscle cells is promoted by FUSE binding protein 1 (FUBP1), a multifunctional DNA-and RNA-binding protein whose role in splicing is largely unknown. By serial deletion and mutagenesis studies in minigenes, we delineated a functional intronic splicing enhancer (ISE) in intron 38. FUBP1 recruitment to the RNA sequence containing the ISE was established by RNA pull down and RNA EMSA, and further confirmed by RNA-ChIP on endogenous DMD pre-mRNA. This study provides new insights about the splicing regulation of DMD exon 39, highlighting the emerging role of FUBP1 in splicing and describing the first ISE for constitutive exon inclusion in the mature DMD transcript.

25 páginas, 6 figuras. Enlaces a 4 figuras y 2 videos desde supporting information, Nuclear lamins are important structural and functional proteins in mammalian cells, but little is known about the mechanisms and cofactors that regulate their traffic into the nucleus. Here, we demonstrate that trafficking of lamin A, but not lamin B1, and its assembly into the nuclear envelope are regulated by sorting nexin 6 (SNX6), a major component of the retromer that targets proteins and other molecules to specific subcellular locations. SNX6 interacts with lamin A in vitro and in vivo and links it to the outer surface of the endoplasmic reticulum in human and mouse cells. SNX6 transports its lamin A cargo to the nuclear envelope in a process that takes several hours. Lamin A protein levels in the nucleus augment or decrease, respectively, upon gain or loss of SNX6 function. We further show that SNX6-dependent lamin A nuclear import occurs across the nuclear pore complex via a RAN-GTP-dependent mechanism. These results identify SNX6 as a key regulator of lamin A synthesis and incorporation into the nuclear envelope., Work in VA's laboratory is supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (SAF2010-16044), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (RD12/0042/0028), The Progeria Research Foundation, and the European Commission (Grant No 317916-Liphos). JMGG received salary support from the Sara Borrell and Miguel Servet (CP11/00145) ISCIII programs. The Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) is supported by MINECO and Fundación Pro-CNIC. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

In this study, 105 healthy children (45 to 156 months old, 57 girls) were examined using ultrasound (US) imaging to obtain reference values of muscle dimensional and aspect parameters. We measured biceps and quadriceps sizes and subcutaneous tissue thickness. To quantify muscle aspect, we calculated muscle density, inhomogeneity and white-area index by digital image analysis. Age-, weight- and gender-dependencies were discussed. We demonstrated earlier that the complete set of parameters allows for differentiation between myopathies and neuropathies in adults, with high sensitivity. In this study, we investigated if these parameters have additional value in the diagnostic evaluation of 36 children with proven neuromuscular disease (20 Duchenne muscular dystrophy, 16 neuropathies). We found that density analysis provides a sensitive method for distinguishing between healthy children and children with neuromuscular disorders. We have also found that more detailed aspect analysis is necessary to further distinguish between these types of neuromuscular disorders in children. In conclusion, this set of normal muscle parameters can be used to help diagnose neuromuscular disorders in children. It will also facilitate follow-up in disease progression and therapy. (E-mail: n.m.maurits@neuro.azg.nl) (C) 2004 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine Biology.

Preclinical or clinical trials for muscular dystrophies have met with modest success, mainly because of inefficient delivery of viral vectors or donor cells to dystrophic muscles. We report here that intra-arterial delivery of wildtype mesoangioblasts, a class of vessel-associated stem cells, corrects morphologically and functionally the dystrophic phenotype of virtually all downstream muscles in adult immunocompetent alpha-sarcoglycan (alpha-SG) null mice, a model organism for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. When mesoangioblasts isolated from juvenile dystrophic mice and transduced with a lentiviral vector expressing alpha-SG were injected into the femoral artery of dystrophic mice, they reconstituted skeletal muscle in a manner similar to that seen in wild-type cells. The success of this protocol was mainly due to widespread distribution of donor stem cells through the capillary network, a distinct advantage of this strategy over previous approaches. ispartof: Science vol:301 issue:5632 pages:487-492 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Objective: To compare the kinematics and muscle activity of subjects with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and healthy control subjects during the performance of standardized upper extremity tasks.Design: Exploratory case-control study.Setting: A movement laboratory.Participants: Subjects (N=19) with FSHD (n=11) and healthy control subjects (n=8) were measured.Interventions: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures: Kinematic data were recorded using a 3-dimensional motion capturing system. Muscle activities, recorded using electromyography, were obtained from 6 superficial muscles around the glenohumeral joint. Shoulder elevation and elbow flexion angles, and maximum electromyographic activity during the movements as a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were calculated.Results: Kinematic differences between the FSHD group and the healthy control group were found in the shoulder elevation angle during single shoulder movements and both reaching tasks. In general, subjects with FSHD had higher percentages of muscle activation. The median activity of the trapezius was close to the MVC activity during the single shoulder movements. Moreover, deltoid and pectoralis muscles were also highly active.Conclusions: Higher activation of the trapezius in subjects with FSHD indicates a mechanism that could help relieve impaired shoulder muscles during arm elevation around shoulder height. Compared with healthy subjects, persons with FSHD activated their shoulder muscles to a greater extent during movements that required arm elevation. (c) 2014 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of conditions in which muscle weakness resulting from impaired neuromuscular transmission is often present from infancy. One form of congenital myasthenic syndrome is due to a reduction of the number of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the neuromuscular junction. We describe four new cases of AChR deficiency, characterized by a reduction in both miniature endplate potential amplitude and AChR abundance accompanied by elongation of the neuromuscular junction and some decrease in postsynaptic folding. A number of cytoplasmic proteins are normally associated with the postsynaptic membrane and may contribute to the clustering of AChRs at the neuromuscular junction. We therefore investigated the expression of several of these proteins in these AChR-deficiency patients. In each patient, immunolabelling of the neuromuscular junction for rapsyn, dystrophin, beta-dystroglycan and a form of beta-spectrin was strong but that for utrophin was markedly reduced or absent. This suggested that a defect in utrophin expression might underlie the congenital AChR deficiency. However, a reduction in utrophin labelling was also seen in three patients with adult acquired autoimmune myasthenia gravis in whom AChR loss results directly from the extracellular binding of autoantibodies. We conclude that the loss of AChRs in AChR deficiency does not result from the absence of rapsyn or beta-dystroglycan and that reduction of utrophin is probably secondary to the loss of AChRs. The possible role of AChRs and/or utrophin in determining the extent of postsynaptic folding is discussed.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a heterogenous group of conditions in which muscle weakness resulting from impaired neuromuscular transmission is often present from infancy. One form of congenital myasthenic syndrome is due to a reduction of the number of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the neuromuscular junction. We describe four new cases of AChR deficiency, characterized by a reduction in both miniature endplate potential amplitude and AChR abundance accompanied by elongation of the neuromuscular junction and some decrease in postsynaptic folding. A number of cytoplasmic proteins are normally associated with the postsynaptic membrane and may contribute to the clustering of AChRs at the neuromuscular junction. We therefore investigated the expression of several of these proteins in these AChR-deficiency patients. In each patient, immunolabelling of the neuromuscular junction for rapsyn, dystrophin, beta-dystroglycan and a form of beta-spectrin was string but that for utrophin was markedly reduced or absent. This suggested that a defect in utrophin expression might underlie the congenital AChR deficiency. However, a reduction in utrophin labelling was also seen in three patients with adult acquired autoimmune myasthenia gravis in whom AChR loss results directly from the extracellular binding of autoantibodies. We conclude that the loss of AChRs in AChR deficiency does not result from the absence of rapsyn or beta-dystroglycan and that reduction of utrophin is probably secondary to the loss of AChRs. The possible role of AChRs and/or utrophin in determining the extent of postsynaptic folding is discussed.

Adducted thumbs are an uncommon congenital malformation. It can be an important clinical clue in genetic syndromes, e. g. the L1 syndrome.A retrospective survey was performed including patients with adducted thumbs referred to the Department of Clinical Genetics between 1985 and 2011 by perinatologists, (child) neurologists or paediatricians, in order to evaluate current knowledge on the genetic etiology of adducted thumbs. Twenty-five patients were included in this survey. Additional features were observed in 88% (22/25). In 25% (4/16) of the patients with adducted thumbs and congenital hydrocephalus L1CAM gene mutations were identified. One patient had a mosaic 5p13 duplication. Recommendations are made concerning the evaluation and genetic workup of patients with adducted thumbs. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

International audience; Dystrophin is an essential part of a membrane protein complex that provides flexible support to muscle fiber membranes. Loss of dystrophin function leads to membrane fragility and muscle-wasting disease. Given the importance of cytoskeletal interactions in strengthening the sarcolemma, we have focused on actin-binding domain 2 of human dystrophin, constituted by repeats 11 to 15 of the central domain (DYS R11-15). We previously showed that DYS R11-15 also interacts with membrane lipids. We investigated the shear elastic constant (μ) and the surface viscosity (η(s)) of Langmuir phospholipid monolayers mimicking the inner leaflet of the sarcolemma in the presence of DYS R11-15 and actin. The initial interaction of 100 nM DYS R11-15 with the monolayers slightly modifies their rheological properties. Injection of 0.125 μM filamentous actin leads to a strong increase of μ and η(s,) from 0 to 5.5 mN/m and 2.4 × 10(-4) N * s/m, respectively. These effects are specific to DYS R11-15, require filamentous actin, and depend on phospholipid nature and lateral surface pressure. These findings suggest that the central domain of dystrophin contributes significantly to the stiffness and the stability of the sarcolemma through its simultaneous interactions with the cytoskeleton and lipid membrane. This mechanical link is likely to be a major contributing factor to the shock absorber function of dystrophin and muscle sarcolemmal integrity on mechanical stress.

Review; International audience; It has been almost 60 years since caveolae were first visualized by Eichi Yamada and George Palade. Nevertheless, these specialized invaginations of the plasma membrane remain without clear and recognized physiological function. The recent identification of new caveolar components and the ability to probe cell mechanics with sophisticated opticophysical devices have shed new light on this fascinating organelle. Early studies from the 1970s suggested that caveolae could participate in the regulation of membrane dynamics. Recent data have established caveolae as mechanosensors that respond immediately to mechanical stress by flattening into the plasma membrane. Here, we focus on the molecular consequences that result from the caveolar disassembly/reassembly cycle induced by membrane tension variations at the surface of the cell under physiological and pathological conditions.

Skin fragility disorders caused by keratin mutations are incurable, and a better understanding of their etiology is needed to find new ways to improve and treat these conditions. The best-studied skin fragility disorder is epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutations in keratin 5 (K5) or K14. To analyze disease mechanisms and develop gene therapy strategies, we have used keratinocyte cell lines derived from EBS patients as model systems. Here, we describe two cell lines established from EBS patients with K14-null mutations. We analyze the responses of these cells to stress assays previously shown to discriminate between wild-type and keratin-mutant keratinocytes, to directly evaluate the efficacy of rescuing K14-null cells by supplementation with wild-type K14 complementary DNA (cDNA). The K14-null cells show elevated levels of stress correlating with reduced normal keratin function. By transfecting wild-type K14 into these cells, we demonstrate "proof of principle" that an add-back approach can significantly rescue the normal keratinocyte behavior profile. These K14-null cell lines provide a disease model for studying the effects of keratin ablation in EBS patients and to test the efficacy of gene add-back and other therapy approaches in keratinocytes.

In pre-hearing mice, vesicle exocytosis at cochlear inner hair cell (IHC) ribbon synapses is triggered by spontaneous Ca2+spikes. At the onset of hearing, IHC exocytosis is then exclusively driven by graded potentials, and is characterized by higher Ca2+efficiency and improved synchronization of vesicular release. The molecular players involved in this transition are still unknown. Here we addressed the involvement of synaptotagmins and otoferlin as putative Ca2+sensors in IHC exocytosis during postnatal maturation of the cochlea. Using cell capacitance measurements, we showed that Ca2+-evoked exocytosis in mouse IHCs switches from an otoferlin-independent to an otoferlin-dependent mechanism at postnatal day 4. During this early exocytotic period, several synaptotagmins (Syts), including Syt1, Syt2 and Syt7, were detected in IHCs. The exocytotic response as well as the release of the readily releasable vesicle pool (RRP) was, however, unchanged in newborn mutant mice lacking Syt1, Syt2 or Syt7 (Syt1−/−,Syt2−/−andSyt7−/−mice). We only found a defect in RRP recovery inSyt1−/−mice which was apparent as a strongly reduced response to repetitive stimulations. In post-hearingSyt2−/−andSyt7−/−mutant mice, IHC synaptic exocytosis was unaffected. The transient expression of Syt1 and Syt2, which were no longer detected in IHCs after the onset of hearing, indicates that these two most common Ca2+-sensors in CNS synapses are not involved in mature IHCs. We suggest that otoferlin underlies highly efficient Ca2+-dependent membrane-membrane fusion, a process likely essential to increase the probability and synchrony of vesicle fusion events at the mature IHC ribbon synapse.

Myogenesis is a process whereby myoblasts differentiate and fuse into multinucleated myotubes, the precursors of myofibers. Various signals and factors modulate this process, and glucocorticoids (GCs) are important regulators of skeletal muscle metabolism. We show that glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), a GC-induced gene, and the newly identified isoform long GILZ (L-GILZ) are expressed in skeletal muscle tissue and in C2C12 myoblasts where GILZ/L-GILZ maximum expression occurs during the first few days in differentiation medium. Moreover, we observed that GC treatment of myoblasts, which increased GILZ/L-GILZ expression, resulted in reduced myotube formation, whereas GILZ and L-GILZ silencing dampened GC effects. Inhibition of differentiation caused by GILZ/L-GILZ overexpression correlated with inhibition of MyoD function and reduced expression of myogenin. Notably, results indicate that GILZ and L-GILZ bind and regulate MyoD/HDAC1 transcriptional activity, thus mediating the anti-myogenic effect of GCs.

Consensual diagnostic criteria for facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) include onset of the disease in facial or shoulder girdle muscles, facial weakness in more than 50% of affected family members, autosomal dominant inheritance in familial cases, and evidence of myopathic disease in at least one affected member without biopsy features specific to alternative diagnoses. Six patients did not meet most of these criteria but were diagnosed as FSHD by DNA testing, which showed small EcoRI fragments on chromosome 4q. Their clinical signs and symptoms and results of auxiliary investigations are reported. The patients presented with foot extensor, thigh, or calf muscle weakness. None of them had apparent facial weakness, only one complained of weakness in the shoulders, none had a positive family history. Expert physical examination, however, showed a typical facial expression, an abnormal shoulder configuration on lifting the arms, or scapular winging. This raised the suspicion of FSHD, whereupon DNA analysis was done. In conclusion, the clinical expression of FSHD is much broader than indicated by the nomenclature. The possibility to perform DNA tests is likely to greatly expand the clinical range of FSHD.

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant muscular dystrophy in which no mutation of pathogenic gene(s) has been identified. Instead, the disease is, in most cases, genetically linked to a contraction in the number of 3.3 kb D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q. How contraction of the 4qter D4Z4 repeats causes muscular dystrophy is not understood. In addition, a smaller group of FSHD cases are not associated with D4Z4 repeat contraction (termed “phenotypic” FSHD), and their etiology remains undefined. We carried out chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis using D4Z4–specific PCR primers to examine the D4Z4 chromatin structure in normal and patient cells as well as in small interfering RNA (siRNA)–treated cells. We found that SUV39H1–mediated H3K9 trimethylation at D4Z4 seen in normal cells is lost in FSHD. Furthermore, the loss of this histone modification occurs not only at the contracted 4q D4Z4 allele, but also at the genetically intact D4Z4 alleles on both chromosomes 4q and 10q, providing the first evidence that the genetic change (contraction) of one 4qD4Z4 allele spreads its effect to other genomic regions. Importantly, this epigenetic change was also observed in the phenotypic FSHD cases with no D4Z4 contraction, but not in other types of muscular dystrophies tested. We found that HP1γ and cohesin are co-recruited to D4Z4 in an H3K9me3–dependent and cell type–specific manner, which is disrupted in FSHD. The results indicate that cohesin plays an active role in HP1 recruitment and is involved in cell type–specific D4Z4 chromatin regulation. Taken together, we identified the loss of both histone H3K9 trimethylation and HP1γ/cohesin binding at D4Z4 to be a faithful marker for the FSHD phenotype. Based on these results, we propose a new model in which the epigenetic change initiated at 4q D4Z4 spreads its effect to other genomic regions, which compromises muscle-specific gene regulation leading to FSHD pathogenesis., Author Summary Most cases of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) are associated with a decrease in the number of D4Z4 repeat sequences on chromosome 4q. How this leads to the disease remains unclear. Furthermore, D4Z4 shortening is not seen in a small number of FSHD cases, and the etiology is unknown. In the cell, the DNA, which encodes genetic information, is wrapped around abundant nuclear proteins called histones to form a “beads on a string”–like structure termed chromatin. It became apparent that these histones are modified to regulate both maintenance and expression of genetic information. In the current study, we characterized the chromatin structure of the D4Z4 region in normal and FSHD patient cells. We discovered that one particular histone modification (trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9) in the D4Z4 repeat region is specifically lost in FSHD. We identified the enzyme responsible for this modification and the specific factors whose binding to D4Z4 is dependent on this modification. Importantly, these chromatin changes were observed in both types of FSHD, but not in other muscular dystrophies. Thus, this chromatin abnormality at D4Z4 unifies the two types of FSHD, which not only serves as a novel diagnostic marker, but also provides new insight into the role of chromatin in FSHD pathogenesis.

Aims Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and still incurable disease, with heart failure as a leading cause of death. The identification of a disease-modifying therapy may require early-initiated and long-term administration, but such type of therapeutic trial is not evident in humans. We have performed such a trial of SNT-MC17/idebenone in the mdx mouse model of DMD, based on the drug's potential to improve mitochondrial respiratory chain function and reduce oxidative stress. Methods and results In this study, 200 mg/kg bodyweight of either SNT-MC17/idebenone or placebo was given from age 4 weeks until 10 months in mdx and wild-type mice. All evaluators were blinded to mouse type and treatment groups. Idebenone treatment significantly corrected cardiac diastolic dysfunction and prevented mortality from cardiac pump failure induced by dobutamine stress testing in vivo, significantly reduced cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, and significantly improved voluntary running performance in mdx mice. Conclusion We have identified a novel potential therapeutic strategy for human DMD, as SNT-MC17/idebenone was cardioprotective and improved exercise performance in the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse. Our data also illustrate that the mdx mouse provides unique opportunities for long-term controlled prehuman therapeutic studies. ispartof: European Heart Journal vol:30 issue:1 pages:116-124 ispartof: location:England status: published

Introduction: We explored the use of quantitative muscle ultrasonography (QMUS) for follow-up of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Methods: Seven JDM patients were evaluated at diagnosis and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months using the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS) and QMUS. Muscle thickness (MT) and quantitative muscle echo intensity (EI) were assessed with QMUS in 4 muscles. Results: Six patients experienced a monocyclic course. At diagnosis EI was slightly increased, and MT was relatively normal. After start of treatment MT first decreased and EI increased, with normalization of EI within 6-12 months (n = 4). One patient had higher EIs at diagnosis and slower normalization, indicating fibrosis, despite early normalization of CMAS. One patient experienced a chronic course, with high EIs and atrophy during follow-up. Conclusions: QMUS can provide additional information for follow-up of JDM regarding disease severity and residual muscle damage, particularly after normalization of CMAS.

Pharmacological interventions that increase myofiber size counter the functional decline of dystrophic muscles(1,2). We show that deacetylase inhibitors increase the size of myofibers in dystrophin-deficient (MDX) and alpha-sarcoglycan (alpha-SG)-deficient mice by inducing the expression of the myostatin antagonist follistatin(3) in satellite cells. Deacetylase inhibitor treatment conferred on dystrophic muscles resistance to contraction-coupled degeneration and alleviated both morphological and functional consequences of the primary genetic defect. These results provide a rationale for using deacetylase inhibitors in the pharmacological therapy of muscular dystrophies. ispartof: Nature Medicine vol:12 issue:10 pages:1147-1150 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Smooth muscle cells exhibit phenotypic and mechanical plasticity. During maturation, signalling pathways controlling actin dynamics modulate contractile apparatus-associated gene transcription and contractile apparatus remodelling resulting from length change. Differentiated myocytes accumulate abundant caveolae that evolve from the structural association of lipid rafts with caveolin-1, a protein with domains that confer unique functional properties. Caveolae and caveolin-1 modulate and participate in receptor-mediated signalling, and thus contribute to functional diversity of phenotypically similar myocytes. In mature smooth muscle, caveolae are partitioned into discrete linear domains aligned with structural proteins that tether actin to the extracellular matrix. Caveolin-1 binds with β-dystroglycan, a subunit of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC), and with filamin, an actin binding protein that organizes cortical actin, to which integrins and focal adhesion complexes are anchored. The DGC is linked to the actin cytoskeleton by a dystrophin subunit and is a receptor for extracellular laminin. Thus, caveolae and caveolin-associated signalling proteins and receptors are linked via structural proteins to a dynamic filamentous actin network. Despite development of transgenic models to investigate caveolins and membrane-associated actin-linking proteins in skeletal and cardiac muscle function, only superficial understanding of this association in smooth muscle phenotype and function has emerged.Key words: caveolin, dystroglycan, filamin, mechanical plasticity, G-protein-coupled receptors.

International audience; Restrictive dermopathy (RD), also called tight skin contracture syndrome (OMIM 275210), is a rare disorder mainly characterized by intrauterine growth retardation, tight and rigid skin with erosions, prominent superficial vasculature and epidermal hyperkeratosis, facial features (small mouth, small pinched nose and micrognathia), sparse/absent eyelashes and eyebrows, mineralization defects of the skull, thin dysplastic clavicles, pulmonary hypoplasia, multiple joint contractures and an early neonatal lethal course. Liveborn children usually die within the first week of life. The overall prevalence of consanguineous cases suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance. We explored nine fetuses/newborns children with RD. Two were found to have an heterozygous splicing mutation in the LMNA gene, leading to the complete or partial loss of exon 11 in mRNAs encoding Lamin A and resulting in a truncated Prelamin A protein. Lamins are major constituents of the nuclear lamina, a filamentous meshwork underlying the inner nuclear envelope. In the other seven patients, a unique heterozygous insertion leading to the creation of a premature termination codon was identified in the gene ZMPSTE24, also known as FACE-1 in human. This gene encodes a metalloproteinase specifically involved in the post-translational processing of Lamin A precursor. In all patients carrying a ZMPSTE24 mutation, loss of expression of Lamin A as well as abnormal patterns of nuclear sizes and shapes and mislocalization of Lamin-associated proteins was evidenced. Our results indicate that a common pathogenetic pathway, involving defects of the nuclear lamina and matrix, is involved in all RD cases. RD is thus one of the most deleterious laminopathies identified so far in humans caused by (primary or secondary) A-type Lamin defects and nuclear structural and functional alterations.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a common X-linked disease characterized by widespread muscle damage that invariably leads to paralysis and death. There is currently no therapy for this disease. Here we report that a subpopulation of circulating cells expressing AC133, a well-characterized marker of hematopoietic stem cells, also expresses early myogenic markers. Freshly isolated, circulating AC133(+) cells were induced to undergo myogenesis when cocultured with myogenic cells or exposed to Writ-producing cells in vitro and when delivered in vivo through the arterial circulation or directly into the muscles of transgenic scid/mdx mice (which allow survival of human cells). Injected cells also localized under the basal lamina of host muscle fibers and expressed satellite cell markers such as M-cadherin and MYF5. Furthermore, functional tests of injected muscles revealed a substantial recovery of force after treatment. As these cells can be isolated from the blood, manipulated in vitro, and delivered through the circulation, they represent a possible tool for future cell therapy applications in DMD disease or other muscular dystrophies. ispartof: Journal of Clinical Investigation vol:114 issue:2 pages:182-195 ispartof: location:United States status: published

An imbalance of TNF system activity has been reported in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Nevertheless, the question whether TNF-alpha action is directly implicated in the pathogenesis of DM1 or is a simple marker of disease activity is still open. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 levels in association with the disease stage, cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) expansion and cardiac function of 56 patients with DM1 (40+/-14 years) and 28 healthy controls (42+/-12 years). All subjects were submitted to resting electrocardiogram (EKG), Signal-averaged EKG (SA-EKG), and M-mode/2-D echocardiography. TNF-alpha levels were higher in patients compared to controls (p0.0003) and were associated to disease stage (p0.02). Significant correlation were observed between TNF and CTG expansion (p0.005) or PQ intervals (p0.0005). Ventricular late potentials (VLPs) occurred in 54% of cases. In these patients, TNF-alpha levels were higher compared to those without VLPs (p0.05). We may conclude that TNF-alpha levels might represent and adjunctive criterion for disease staging in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1, and that elevated TNF levels in DM1 may lead to cardiac fibrosis affecting diastolic function, conduction, and automaticity.

We describe four myotonic dystrophy (DM) patients who developed recurrent intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Some episodes were associated with gastroenteritis, while abdominal crowding may have occurred in one case during the third trimester of pregnancy. In most instances, however, no apparent cause could be identified. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction may occur at any stage of DM. In one of our cases intestinal pseudo-obstruction preceded significant muscle weakness by IS years. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is usually treated effectively with conservative measures. These include restriction of oral intake, intravenous fluids, and multiple enemas or colonoscopy. Improved intestinal function was noted in one case treated with the prokinetic agent cisapride. A partial sigmoid resection was performed in three cases with dolichomegacolon. No abnormalities were reported on histological examination. Since intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare complication of DM, it is of interest that two of our cases are sibs. Review of published reports showed several reports of familial occurrence of specific complications. These include cardiac conduction disturbances, focal myocarditis, mitral valve prolapse, pilomatrixomas, polyneuropathy, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and dilatation of the urinary tract. Myotonic dystrophy may show a tendency to familial clustering of organ specific involvement.

Consensual diagnostic criteria for facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) include onset of the disease in facial or shoulder girdle muscles, facial weakness in more than 50% of affected family members, autosomal dominant inheritance in familial cases, and evidence of myopathic disease in at least one affected member without biopsy features specific to alternative diagnoses. Six patients did not meet most of these criteria but were diagnosed as FSHD by DNA testing, which showed small EcoRI fragments on chromosome 4q. Their clinical signs and symptoms and results of auxiliary investigations are reported. The patients presented with foot extensor, thigh, or calf muscle weakness. None of them had apparent facial weakness, only one complained of weakness in the shoulders, none had a positive family history. Expert physical examination, however, showed a typical facial expression, an abnormal shoulder configuration on lifting the arms, or scapular winging. This raised the suspicion of FSHD, whereupon DNA analysis was done. In conclusion, the clinical expression of FSHD is much broader than indicated by the nomenclature. The possibility to perform DNA tests is likely to greatly expand the clinical range of FSHD.

International audience; Abstract: The thenar muscles and gastrocnemius of a patient with myotonic dystrophy were investigated, at rest, by phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A decrease in phosphocreatine level and an increase in inorganic phosphate and phosphodiester levels were found in the gastrocnemius, which was clinically spared, whilst the thenar muscles, which were wasted and affected by myotonia, exhibited only an increased inorganic phosphate level and an elevated pH. These findings were comparable with those found in other muscular disorders, such as Duchenne's and Becker's dystrophies, as well as in limb girdle dystrophy. They suggested that the abnormalities observed were unrelated to myotonia or wasting, and the possibility of a secondary mitochondrial disorder in myotonic dystrophy, is to be considered.

We describe four myotonic dystrophy (DM) patients who developed recurrent intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Some episodes were associated with gastroenteritis, while abdominal crowding may have occurred in one case during the third trimester of pregnancy. In most instances, however, no apparent cause could be identified. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction may occur at any stage of DM. In one of our cases intestinal pseudo-obstruction preceded significant muscle weakness by IS years. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is usually treated effectively with conservative measures. These include restriction of oral intake, intravenous fluids, and multiple enemas or colonoscopy. Improved intestinal function was noted in one case treated with the prokinetic agent cisapride. A partial sigmoid resection was performed in three cases with dolichomegacolon. No abnormalities were reported on histological examination. Since intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare complication of DM, it is of interest that two of our cases are sibs. Review of published reports showed several reports of familial occurrence of specific complications. These include cardiac conduction disturbances, focal myocarditis, mitral valve prolapse, pilomatrixomas, polyneuropathy, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and dilatation of the urinary tract. Myotonic dystrophy may show a tendency to familial clustering of organ specific involvement.