Duchenne dystrophy: reduced density of orthogonal array subunit particles in muscle plasma membrane.

Using freeze-fracture, we analyzed the density of orthogonal arrays and subunit particles in muscle plasma membrane of six patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and six control boys. The group median density of orthogonal arrays per 1 micron2 and the group mean density of orthogonal array subunit particles per one orthogonal array were significantly lower in Duchenne plasma membrane. The results suggested the possible impairment of orthogonal array function in the muscle plasma membrane of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.