Myology research highlights

The alpha-dystroglycanopathies are genetically heterogeneous muscular dystrophies that result from hypoglycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG). Alpha-dystroglycan is an essential link between the extracellular matrix and the muscle fiber sarcolemma, and proper glycosylation is critical for its ability to bind to ligands in the extracellular matrix. Here, the authors sought to identify the genetic basis of alpha-dystroglycanopathy … [Read more]

The muscular dystrophies are a broad group of hereditary muscle diseases with variable severity. Population-based prevalence estimates have been reported but pooled estimates are not available. Here, the authors performed a systematic review of worldwide population-based studies reporting muscular dystrophies prevalence and/or incidence using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The search strategy included key terms related … [Read more]

The BTB-KELCH protein Gigaxonin plays key roles in sustaining neuron survival and cytoskeleton architecture. Indeed, recessive mutations in the Gigaxonin-encoding gene cause Giant Axonal Neuropathy (GAN), a severe neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a wide disorganization of the Intermediate Filament network. Growing evidence suggests that GAN is a continuum with the peripheral neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseases type … [Read more]

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) are both autosomal-dominant disorders linked to peripheral myelin anomalies. CMT1A is associated with a Peripheral Myelin Protein 22 (PMP22) duplication, whereas HNPP is due to a PMP22 deletion on chromosome 17. In spite of this crucial difference, the authors report three observations … [Read more]

A phase I, single-site, dose escalation study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gene transfer therapy in infants with for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA1) who are 9 months old or younger has opened at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. A total of nine patients will be randomly assigned to receive either … [Read more]

Mutations affecting skeletal muscle isoforms of the tropomyosin genes may cause nemaline myopathy (NM), cap myopathy, core-rod myopathy, congenital fibre-type disproportion, distal arthrogryposes and Escobar syndrome. This study correlates the clinical picture of these diseases with novel (16) and previously reported (31) mutations of the TPM2 and TPM3 genes. Altogether 93 families are included: 53 … [Read more]

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) lacks non-invasive and easy to measure biomarkers, still largely relying on semi-quantitative tests for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Muscle biopsies provide valuable data, but their use is limited by their invasiveness. microRNA (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression that are also present in biological fluids and may serve … [Read more]

A working hypothesis for the pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) involves the aberrant sequestration of an alternative splicing regulator, MBNL1, by expanded CUG repeats, r(CUG)exp. It has been suggested that a reversal of the myotonia and potentially other symptoms of the DM1 disease can be achieved by inhibiting the toxic MBNL1-r(CUG)exp interaction. Using … [Read more]

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary childhood disease that causes paralysis by progressive degeneration of skeletal muscles and spinal motor neurons. SMA is associated with reduced levels of full-length Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, due to mutations in the Survival of Motor Neuron 1 gene. The mechanisms by which lack of SMN causes … [Read more]

Mutations in the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene lead to the neuromuscular disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Although SMA is primarily considered a motor neuron disease, the importance of muscle defects in its pathogenesis has not been fully examined. Here, the authors used both primary cell culture and two different SMA model mice to demonstrate … [Read more]