[Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy].

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is an inherited muscular disorder characterized by the triad of progressive weakness in humero-peroneal muscles, early onset contractures and cardiomyopathy with conduction block that shows a high risk of sudden death. In 1994, the gene responsible for X-linked EDMD has been identified to Xq28 (designated as STA), that encodes a serine-rich protein of 254 amino acids, named emerin. In 1996, we discovered a nuclear membrane localization of emerin in the normal skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles, but not in the tissues from patients with X-linked EDMD who had a nonsense mutation in the gene. In conclusion, molecular and genetic analyses of emerin are essential for accurate diagnosis of patients with EDMD.