Increased number of caveolae and caveolin-3 overexpression in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Caveolae are small pockets or invaginations localized at the plasma membran e. Caveolins are the principal protein components of caveolae and play an i mportant structural role in the formation of caveolae membranes. Here, we s tudied by freeze fracture and immunological techniques the spatial organiza tion of caveolae at the muscle cell plasma membrane and the expression of c aveolin-3 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) muscle fibers. In DMD muscle , we found an increased number of caveolae at the sarcolemma that correspon ds to an overexpression of caveolin-3 by immunohistochemistry and by Wester n blot analysis. These findings suggest a possible role for caveolae and ca veolin-3 in the pathogenesis of DMD. (C) 1999 Academic Press.