Fukutin-related protein (FKRP) is a glycosyltransferase involved in the functional glycosylation of α-dystroglycan (DG), a key component in the link between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Mutations in FKRP lead to dystroglycanopathies with broad severity, including limb-girdle and congenital muscular dystrophy. Studies over the past 5 years have elucidated the function of FKRP, which has expanded the number of therapeutic opportunities for patients carrying FKRP mutations. These include small molecules, gene delivery, and cell therapy. Here we summarize recent findings on the function of FKRP and describe available models for studying diseases and testing therapeutics. Lastly, we highlight preclinical studies that hold potential for the treatment of FKRP-associated dystroglycanopathies.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2020.11.003 | DOI Listing |
Ann Clin Transl Neurol
December 2024
Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Objective: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R9 (LGMDR9, formerly known as LGMD2I), caused by variants in the fukutin-related protein (FKRP) gene leads to progressive muscle weakness of the shoulder and pelvic limb-girdles and loss of motor function over time. Clinical management and future trial design are improved by determining which standardized clinical outcome assessments (COA) of function are most appropriate to capture disease presentation and progression, informing endpoint selection and enrollment criteria. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the cross-sectional validity and reliability of clinical outcome assessments in patients with FKRP-related LGMDR9 participating in the Genetic Resolution and Assessments Solving Phenotypes in LGMD (GRASP) natural history study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
September 2024
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 87050 Mangone, Italy.
BMC Neurol
September 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 7805, Riyadh, 11472, Saudi Arabia.
JIMD Rep
May 2024
Department of Neurology Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen The Netherlands.
Int J Mol Sci
February 2024
Lillehei Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
The diaphragm muscle is essential for breathing, and its dysfunctions can be fatal. Many disorders affect the diaphragm, including muscular dystrophies. Despite the clinical relevance of targeting the diaphragm, there have been few studies evaluating diaphragm function following a given experimental treatment, with most of these involving anti-inflammatory drugs or gene therapy.
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