DISTRIBUTION OF DYSTROGLYCAN IN NORMAL ADULT-MOUSE TISSUES

Dystroglycan is a cell surface protein which, in muscle, links the ext racellular matrix protein laminin-2 to the intracellular cytoskeleton. Dystroglycan also binds laminin-1 and the binding occurs via the E3 f ragment of laminin-1. Recently, it was found that dystroglycan is expr essed in developing epithelial cells of the kidney. Moreover, antibodi es against dystroglycan can perturb epithelial development in kidney o rgan culture. Therefore, dystroglycan may be an important receptor for cell-matrix interactions in non-muscle tissues. However, information about the tissue distribution of dystroglycan is limited, especially i n adult tissues. Here we show that dystroglycan is present in epitheli al cells in several non-muscle organs of adult mice. Dystroglycan is e nriched towards the basal side of the epithelial cells that are in clo se contact with basement membranes. We suggest that dystroglycan is in volved in linking basement membranes to epithelial and muscle cells. D ystroglycan may be important for the maintenance of tissue integrity.