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New Gene Linked To Muscular Dystrophy

Date:
August 13, 2009
Source:
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Summary:
Muscular dystrophy, a group of inherited diseases characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, can be caused by mutations in any one of a number of genes. Another gene can now be added to this list, as researchers have now identified mutations in a gene not previously linked to muscular dystrophy as causative of a form of the disease in five nonconsanguineous Japanese patients.
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Muscular dystrophy, a group of inherited diseases characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, can be caused by mutations in any one of a number of genes. Another gene can now be added to this list, as Yukiko Hayashi and colleagues, at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan, have now identified mutations in a gene not previously linked to muscular dystrophy as causative of a form of the disease in five nonconsanguineous Japanese patients.

Mutations in the caveolin-3 gene have previously been linked to muscular dystrophy. In this study, the authors identified five nonconsanguineous Japanese patients with muscular dystrophy and degeneration of their fat tissue (a condition known as lipodystrophy) whose muscles were deficient in caveolin-3 protein in the absence of mutations in their caveolin-3 gene.

Detailed genetic analysis revealed that these individuals had mutations in their PTRF gene, which is responsible for making a protein thought to influence caveolin protein stabilization. Further investigation confirmed this as a function for the PTRF protein, as the mutated forms of the PTRF gene generated mutant PTRF proteins that could not localize correctly or associate with caveolin proteins.

The authors therefore conclude that disease in the five patients studied is likely to be a result of caveolin deficiencies secondary to the PTRF gene mutations.


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Materials provided by Journal of Clinical Investigation. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Hayashi et al. Human PTRF mutations cause secondary deficiency of caveolins resulting in muscular dystrophy with generalized lipodystrophy. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2009;

Cite This Page:

Journal of Clinical Investigation. "New Gene Linked To Muscular Dystrophy." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 August 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810174215.htm>.
Journal of Clinical Investigation. (2009, August 13). New Gene Linked To Muscular Dystrophy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810174215.htm
Journal of Clinical Investigation. "New Gene Linked To Muscular Dystrophy." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810174215.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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