ANTIDYSTROPHIN STAINS TRIADIC JUNCTIONS IN REGENERATING RAT MUSCLES

Dystrophin has biochemically been found in the sarcolemma and in junctional t-tubules, but immunocytochemistry shows reactivity at the sarcolemma only. In the present study, normal and regenerating soleus muscles of rat were perfused for 10 minutes with 2% formaldehyde; isolated fibers were stained with polyclonal antidystrophins and HRP and embedded in epoxy. Staining of triadic junctions in normal fibers was ambiguous but, in regenerated fibers, 4 weeks after injury it was distinct. Immature myotubes 3 days after injury showed reactivity at the sarcolemma and at various internal membranes. The nonselective staining of internal membranes may be due to secondary binding of the reaction product, and supports the view that dystrophin is cytoplasmic before it becomes restricted to the sarcolemma and t-tubules.