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Age-Related Dystrophin–Glycoprotein Complex Structure and Function in the Rat Extensor Digitorum Longus and Soleus Muscle

Departments of ¹ Pharmacology, Physiology, and Toxicology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, ² Biological Sciences, and ³ Chemistry, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia.

Address correspondence to Eric Blough, PhD, Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, Suite 311, Science Building, Department of Biological Sciences, 1 John Marshall Drive, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755-1090. E-mail: blough{at}marshall.edu

This study tested the hypothesis that age-related changes in the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex (DGC) may precede age-associated alterations in muscle morphology and function. Compared to those in adult (6 month) rats, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscle mass was decreased in old (30 month) and very old (36 month) Fischer 344/NNiaHSD x Brown Norway/BiNia rats. The amount of dystrophin, ß-dystroglycan, and -sarcoglycan increased with aging in the EDL and decreased with aging in the soleus. -Dystroglycan levels were increased with aging in both muscles and displayed evidence of altered glycosylation. Immunostaining for the presence of antibody infiltration and dystrophin following increased muscle stretch suggested that the aging in the soleus was characterized by diminished membrane integrity. Together, these data suggest that aging is associated with alterations in EDL and soleus DGC protein content and localization. These results may implicate the DGC as playing a role in age-associated skeletal muscle remodeling.

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