University of Iowa Research Foundation

James M Ervasti

Kevin P Campbell

Steven D Kahl

Kay Ohlendieck

Mitchell G Gaver

Cynthia J Leveille

Oxana Ibraghimov-Beskrovnaya

Oxana B Ibraghimov

Disclosed are methods for the preparation of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which bind specifically to a 43 kDa dystrophin-associated. The molecular weight of the 43 kDa protein is determined by electrophoretic separation under denaturing conditions, followed by transfer to a solid support and staining with wheat germ agglutinin. The method includes a step in which the peptide PKNMTPYRSPPPYVP (SEQ ID NO: 15) is administered to stimulate an immune response. Also disclosed are polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which bind specifically to the 43 kDa dystrophin-associated protein.

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against a 43 KDA dystrophin

The invention pertains to pure, native dystrophin of mammalian skeletal muscle and a method of purifying dystrophin from mammalian skeletal muscle. The invention further pertains to a method of diagnosing muscular dystrophy by detecting the loss or abnormal structure of pure, native dystrophin from mammalian skeletal muscle. The detection of a loss of dystrophin or an abnormal structure of dystrophin is indicative of muscular dystrophy.

Purified, native dystrophin

The invention pertains to the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex of mammalian skeletal muscle and a method of isolating said complex. The components of the complex and methods of separating and isolating said components also pertain to the invention. In addition, the invention further relates to a method of diagnosing muscular dystrophy by detecting and quantifying the loss of a non-dystrophin component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex with said loss being indicative of muscular dystrophy.

Measuring non-dystrophin proteins and diagnosing muscular dystrophy

The subject disclosure relates to substantially pure nucleic acid sequences encoding at least a portion of a dystrophin-associated protein. Deoxyribonucleic acid can be expressed in a DNA expression construct. Protein produced in this manner can be used for a variety of purposes including immunization to produce antibodies. Such DNA expression constructs, and the protein encoded by same, are useful in therapeutic methods to complement a genetic defect which results in muscular dystrophy.

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Iowa City, IA, United States of America

James M Ervasti