Expression of a new M(r) 70-kDa dystrophin-related protein in the axon of peripheral nerves from Torpedo marmorata.

By comparison with localizations of dystrophin family products in rabbit peripheral nerves, we investigated the potential existence and distribution of similar products in peripheral nerves from Torpedo marmorata. In immunofluorescence studies, a specific set of monoclonal antibodies directed against dystrophin family proteins clearly stained a thin rim surrounding each Schwann cell-axon unit both in T. marmorata and rabbit peripheral nerves. In contrast when using the dystrophin/utrophin monoclonal H'3E7 antibody, we found a clear difference between rabbit and T. marmorata peripheral nerves according to fluorescent labeling detected within Torpedo nerve axons. Further differences were noted following western blot analyses of T. marmorata peripheral nerve extracts, highlighting the presence of a new and specific M(r) 70-kDa protein band belonging to the dystrophin family, which is localized within axons in addition to: (1) an M(r)400-kDa protein band detected with dystrophin/utrophin antibodies; and (2) an M(r) 116-kDa doublet protein band corresponding to Dp116 and Up116 isoforms. All of these products, detected according to the specificities of the monoclonal antibodies used, are discussed in terms of their potential identities as short and long dystrophin or utrophin mammalian products.