Journal
CELLS TISSUES ORGANS
Volume 196, Issue 5, Pages 470-480Publisher
KARGER
DOI: 10.1159/000336842
Keywords
Astrocytes; Human cerebral cortex; Immunofluorescence; Pyramidal neurons; Sarcoglycans
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The sarcoglycan (SG) complex (SGC) is a subcomplex within the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) and is composed of several transmembrane proteins (alpha, beta, delta, gamma, epsilon and zeta ). The DGC supplies a transmembranous connection between the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton networks and the basal lamina in order to protect the lipid bilayer and to provide a scaffold for signaling molecules in all muscle cells. In addition to its role in muscle tissue, dystrophin and some DGC components are expressed in neurons and glia. Very little is known about the SG subunits in the central nervous system (CNS) and some data suggested the presence of epsilon and zeta subunits only. In fact, mutations in the epsilon-SG gene cause myoclonus-dystonia, indicating its importance for brain function. To determine the presence and localization of SGC in the human cerebral cortex, we performed an investigation using immunofluorescence, immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that all SG subunits are expressed in the human cerebral cortex, particularly in large neurons but also in astrocytes. These data suggest that the SG subcomplex may be involved in the organization of CNS synapses. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available