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Melanocytes—A novel tool to study mitochondrial dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Author(s) -
Pellegrini Camilla,
Zulian Alessandra,
Gualandi Francesca,
Manzati Elisa,
Merlini Luciano,
Michelini Maria E.,
Benassi Luisa,
Marmiroli Sandra,
Ferlini Alessandra,
Sabatelli Patrizia,
Bernardi Paolo,
Maraldi Nadir M.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.24290
Subject(s) - dystrophin , duchenne muscular dystrophy , sarcolemma , muscular dystrophy , mitochondrion , biology , muscle biopsy , microbiology and biotechnology , myocyte , western blot , pathology , melanocyte , cytoskeleton , biopsy , cell , cancer research , medicine , biochemistry , genetics , gene , melanoma
Dystrophin is a subsarcolemmal protein that, by linking the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix via dystroglycans, is critical for the integrity of muscle fibers. Here, we report that epidermal melanocytes, obtained from conventional skin biopsy, express dystrophin with a restricted localization to the plasma membrane facing the dermal–epidermal junction. In addition the full‐length muscle isoform mDp427 was clearly detectable in melanocyte cultures as assessed by immunohistochemistry, RNA, and Western blot analysis. Melanocytes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients did not express dystrophin, and the ultrastructural analysis revealed typical mitochondrial alterations similar to those occurring in myoblasts from the same patients. Mitochondria of melanocytes from DMD patients readily accumulated tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester, indicating that they are energized irrespective of the presence of dystrophin but, at variance from mitochondria of control donors, depolarized upon the addition of oligomycin, suggesting that they are affected by a latent dysfunction unmasked by inhibition of the ATP synthase. Pure melanocyte cultures can be readily obtained by conventional skin biopsies and may be a feasible and reliable tool alternative to muscle biopsy for functional studies in dystrophinopathies. The mitochondrial dysfunction occurring in DMD melanocytes could represent a promising cellular biomarker for monitoring dystrophinopathies also in response to pharmacological treatments. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1323–1331, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.