Dytsroglycan
are transmembranous proteins that connect the extracellular matrix with
the cytoskeleton via dystrophin and utrophin. Recently (Chen
et al, 2003)
it has been reported that b-dystroglycan
binds directly to actin, aswell as indirectly through dystrophin.
There maybe two actin-binding sites in b-dystroglycan as the protein
causes actin bundle formation in vitro at least. There are regions
within the protein that are homologous to other actin binding
proteins (Utrophin, Gelsolin, VASP and tropomodulin).
Figure 1. The dystroglycan complex.
References
Chen, Y.-J., Spence, H. J., Cameron, J.
M., Jess, T., Ilsley, J. L. & Winder, S. J. (2003) Direct interaction of
b-dystroglycan with F-actin. Biochem.J.
375, 329–337.
