Syncoilin
Encyclopedia
Syncoilin is a muscle-specific intermediate filament, first isolated as a binding partner to α-dystrobrevin
, as determined by a yeast two-hybrid assay.
Later, a yeast two-hybrid method was used to demonstrate that syncoilin is a binding partner of desmin
. These binding partners suggest that syncoilin acts as a mechanical "linker" between the sarcomere
Z-disk (where desmin is localized) and the dystrophin
-associated protein complex (where α-dystrobrevin is localized). However, the specific in vivo functions of syncoilin have not yet been determined.
Abnormally high levels of syncoilin have been shown to be a characteristic of neuromuscular wasting diseases, such as desminopathy and muscular dystrophy
. Therefore, syncoilin is being explored as a promising marker of neuromuscular disease.
DTNA
Dystrobrevin alpha is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DTNA gene.-Interactions:DTNA has been shown to interact with Dystrophin.-Further reading:...
, as determined by a yeast two-hybrid assay.
Later, a yeast two-hybrid method was used to demonstrate that syncoilin is a binding partner of desmin
Desmin
Desmin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DES gene.Desmin is a type III intermediate filament found near the Z line in sarcomeres. It was first described in 1976, first purified in 1977, the gene was cloned in 1989, and the first knock-out mouse was created in 1996. Desmin is only...
. These binding partners suggest that syncoilin acts as a mechanical "linker" between the sarcomere
Sarcomere
A sarcomere is the basic unit of a muscle. Muscles are composed of tubular muscle cells . Muscle cells are composed of tubular myofibrils. Myofibrils are composed of repeating sections of sarcomeres, which appear under the microscope as dark and light bands...
Z-disk (where desmin is localized) and the dystrophin
Dystrophin
Dystrophin is a rod-shaped cytoplasmic protein, and a vital part of a protein complex that connects the cytoskeleton of a muscle fiber to the surrounding extracellular matrix through the cell membrane. This complex is variously known as the costamere or the dystrophin-associated protein complex...
-associated protein complex (where α-dystrobrevin is localized). However, the specific in vivo functions of syncoilin have not yet been determined.
Abnormally high levels of syncoilin have been shown to be a characteristic of neuromuscular wasting diseases, such as desminopathy and muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and hamper locomotion. Muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue.In the 1860s, descriptions of boys who...
. Therefore, syncoilin is being explored as a promising marker of neuromuscular disease.