Expression Of DMD CDNA 5-7 Protein In E.coli And Preparation Of Its Antisera

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common human X- linked recessive lethal disease, mostly affecting the males with an incidence of 1 in 3,500 male live births. The disease is characterized by progressive atrophy and necrosis of the muscles with the end result of generalized failure and death of the patient. No effective therapeutic measures are not yet available to postpone or arrest the progress of the disease. Therefore, it is of significant importance to search for a method for precise diagnosis and carrier detection.The employment of "reverse genetic" approach served as the foundation of the researches of DMD and BMD, an allelic form of DMD but with milder clinical manifestation. The DMD/BMD gene was mapped on X chromosome at Xp21 in early 1980s and then cDNA was cloned and sequenced. At the end of 1987, the gene product, dystrophin, was identified, The availability of genomic DNA probes around or within the DMD/BMD gene and cDNA probes has revolutionized the diagnostic means, and it has been possible to provide highly accurate genetic counseling to DMD and BMD families. More recently, the dystrophin protein assay, by either Western blot or immunocytochemistry, has supplemented and enhanced the DNA-based diagnostic capability.