Muscular dystrophy is caused by the largest human gene, a complex chemical leviathan that has confounded scientists for decades. Research conducted at the University of Missouri and described this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has identified significant sections of the gene that could provide hope to young patients and families.
MU scientists Dongsheng Duan, PhD, and Yi Lai, PhD, identified a sequence in the dystrophin gene that is essential for helping muscle tissues function, a breakthrough discovery that could lead to treatments for the deadly hereditary disease. The MU researchers "found the proverbial needle in a haystack," according to Scott Harper, PhD, a muscular dystrophy expert at The Ohio State University who is not involved in the study.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), predominantly affecting males, is the most common type of muscular dystrophy. Children with DMD face a future of rapidly weakening muscles, which usually leads to death by respiratory or cardiac failure before their 30th birthday.
Patients with DMD have a gene mutation that disrupts the production of dystrophin, a protein essential for muscle cell survival and function. Absence of dystrophin starts a chain reaction that eventually leads to muscle cell degeneration and death. While dystrophin is vital for muscle development, the protein also needs several "helpers" to maintain the muscle tissue. One of these "helper" molecular compounds is nNOS, which produces nitric oxide that can keep muscle cells healthy during exercise.
"Dystrophin not only helps build muscle cells, it's also a key factor to attracting nNOS to the muscle cell membrane, which is important during exercise," Lai said. "Prior to this discovery, we didn't know how dystrophin made nNOS bind to the cell
'/>"/>
| Contact: Laura Gerding gerdingla@health.missouri.edu 573-882-9193 University of Missouri School of Medicine Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. Just add water: How scientists are using silicon to produce hydrogen on demand
2. Scientists find gene interactions that make cocaine abuse death 8 times more likely
3. ARS scientists test improved stink bug trapping methods
4. First in the world - Singapore scientists discover genes responsible for cornea blindness
5. Scientists seek out cancer cells hiding from treatment
6. Scientists discover structure of protein essential for quality control, nerve function
7. MBL scientists find bipolar marine bacteria, refuting everything is everywhere idea
8. 2 climate scientists win 2012 Vetlesen Prize for work on ozone hole, ice cores
9. Scientists reassemble the backbone of life with a particle accelerator
10. Scientists reassemble the backbone of life with a particle acceleratorynchrotron X-rays
11. Scripps Florida scientists uncover potential drug target to block cell death in Parkinsons disease
 |
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |