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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Michael Cullen
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The actin-binding proteins, spectrin and dystrophin, are key components of the plasma membrane-associated cytoskeleton of the cardiac muscle cell. From confocal immunofluorescence studies, the distribution of spectrin appears to overlap with that of dystrophin, but the precise functional differentiation, molecular distributions and spatial relationship of these two cytoskeletal systems remain unclear. Freeze-fracture replica immuno-electron microscopy, in parallel with immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy, were applied to examine at high resolution the spatial relationships between the spectrin and dystrophin membrane-associated cytoskeleton systems in cardiac muscle. Application of freeze-fracture replica cytochemistry, with single and double immunogold labeling, permitted simultaneous examination of the organization of spectrin and dystrophin in en-face views of the plasma membrane at high resolution. In contrast to the close spatial relationship previously demonstrated for dystrophin and β-dystroglycan, no association between the gold label marking dystrophin and that marking spectrin was observed. Our freeze-fracture cytochemical results suggest that the two membrane skeletal networks formed by dystrophin and spectrin in cardiac muscle are independently organized, implying that whatever overlap of function (e.g., in structural support to the plasma membrane) may exist between them, the two systems may each have additional distinctive roles. © 2005 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Author(s): Stevenson SA, Cullen MJ, Rothery S, Coppen SR, Severs NJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Journal of Cell Biology
Year: 2005
Volume: 84
Issue: 12
Pages: 961-971
ISSN (print): 0171-9335
ISSN (electronic): 1618-1298
Publisher: Urban und Fischer Verlag
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcb.2005.09.015
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2005.09.015
PubMed id: 16325505
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