Abstract
Background: Muscle fiber degeneration and myotonic discharges are the hallmarks of myotonic dystrophy (DM). The molecular basis for the myotonia was recently tied to abnormal splicing of the chloride channel (ClC-1) pre-mRNA, often resulting in UAG premature termination, which leads to decreased channel protein and therefore a reduced resting chloride conductance. Methods: The authors assessed the functional properties of two commonly occurring DM mRNA splice variants by expression in oocytes. Results: Neither splice variant coded for a functional Cl- channel. Co-injection of alternative splice variants with wild-type ClC-1 cRNA reduced the current density and accelerated channel closure upon repolarization of the membrane. Conclusions: These data show that the aberrantly spliced chloride channel message exerts a dominant negative effect that may contribute to the development of myotonia.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2371-2375 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Neurology |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 28 2004 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology