EVIDENCE FOR SARCOLEMMAL ABNORMALITIES IN THE DYSTROPHIC MOUSE SKELETAL MUSCLE

Abstract
Sarcolemma-enriched fractions were isolated from skeletal muscles of normal and dystrophic mice. Comparison between the two muscles was possible because almost equivalent subcellular fractions were obtained with respect to the distribution of marker enzymes. Unusual findings in the dystrophic sarcolemma include a marked decrease in the specific activity of 5''-nucleotidase, and an alteration in immunoreactivity of NaK-ATPase. Also, quantitative changes in some glycoproteins were seen in the dystrophic sarcolemma; disappearance of a glycoprotein with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa was the most noteworthy finding.