DAG1

DG; Dp71; Dp427; D9Wsu13e; Dystroglycan 1

This gene encodes dystroglycan, a central component of dystrophin-glycoprotein complex that links the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton in the skeletal muscle. The encoded preproprotein undergoes O- and N-glycosylation, and proteolytic processing to generate alpha and beta subunits. A complete lack of the encoded protein in mice results in embryonic lethality due to the disorganization of Reichert's membrane. Chimeric mice deficient in the encoded protein overcome embryonic lethality but develop a progressive muscular dystrophy. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants, all encoding the same protein.