Pathological changes in levels of three small stress proteins, αB crystallin, HSP 27 and P20, in the hindlimb muscles of dy mouse

Using three different analyses, we investigated the levels of the three small stress proteins alpha B crystallin, HSP 27 and p20 in the slow-twitch soleus muscle and fast-twitch tibialis anterior muscle of normal and dy mice. All of these analyses (immunoassay, Western blot and immunohistochemistry) showed markedly increased levels of these stress proteins in fast-twitch type muscle (tibialis anterior muscle) of dy mouse. In contrast, the levels of alpha B crystallin, HSP 27 and p20 of dy mouse were reduced in slow-twitch type muscle (soleus muscle). Manipulation of this protective response may reduce injury and may have potential therapeutic application in congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD), which possesses a deficiency of laminin-alpha 2 chain in muscle fiber basement similar to dy mouse. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.