Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science (IBBS)

Molecular and genetic medicine

Role of the dystrophin-associated protein (DAP) complex in the brain

Abnormalities in the DAP complex are not only responsible for muscle diseases but are also implicated in brain formation and function. Our research programme is directed towards an understanding of the role of DAPC in the brain.

Various neurones have highly specific sets of dystrophin isoforms and DAP (lien et al.,2006, Hazai et al.,2008) and that expression of one of the DAP members (dystrobrevin) correlates with the induction of various differentiation processes in the developing central nervous system (Lien et al, 2004). We also investigate the role of dystroglycan, a member of the post-synaptic DAP complex and its role as a receptor for presynaptic neurexins (Zeng et al, 2006).

We are involved in studies on the formation and function of synaptic connections mediated via neurexin-dystroglycan interactions and a role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in re- modelling these interactions (Michaluk et al, 2007).  We also analyse the role of DAP in other human pathologies (Jing et al, 2004; Wimsey et al, 2006).

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Fig. 1 - Expression of specific dytrophin transcripts in the brain (Górecki et al, 1992; 1994, 1995)

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(Fig. 2) - Immunolocalisation of beta-dystroglycan in normal skin (A) and skin cancers (B,C), (Jing et al, 2004)

(Fig. 3) - Immunolocalisation of alpha-dystrobrevin -1 in developing neural tissues (Lien et al, 2004)

(Fig. 4) - Confocal microscope co-localisation of aquaporin 4 and the endothelial marker (GS-IB4) in brain microvasculature (Topro-3 – counterstaining of cell nuclei)