α‐Dystroglycan deficiency correlates with elevated serum creatine kinase and decreased muscle contraction tension in golden retriever muscular dystrophy

Abstract
The dystrophin—glycoprotein complex was examined in dystrophin‐deficient dogs with golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) using immunoblot and immunofluorescence analysis. The dystrophin‐associated proteins were substantially reduced in muscle from dogs with GRMD. Interestingly, regression analysis revealed a strong correlation between the amount of α‐dystroglycan and serum creatine kinase levels and the contraction tension measured for a given peroneus longus muscle.