By Anna Harris

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss

Abstract

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder that progressively decreases muscle function in approximately 1 in 8,000 individuals worldwide. Expansion of CTG repeats in the 3’ untranslated region of Dystrophia Myotonica-Protein Kinase (DMPK) gene is ultimately responsible for the skeletal muscle wasting phenotype in DM1. Using Gel electrophoresis, PCR, and qPCR the relationship between myokines and their role in DM1 were studied. RNA samples from mice were obtained and used to synthesize cDNA through DNase treatment and PCR. These samples were tested using gel electrophoresis to confirm adequacy. Myokine expression was then tested via qPCR and four primers: Act B_OG, Cx3Cl1_4, TNFa, and IL6_4. Through analysis of these techniques, the four primers displayed diverse amplification. Act B having had the strongest and most consistent amplification. TNFa and Cx3Cl1 displayed somewhat equally variable amplification. IL6 displayed the weakest and most variable amplification. These results indicate a relationship with myokine expression that could be evaluated in further studies. Future studies will be conducted using the same methods and experiment with alternative methods to explore the role myokines play in DM1 related skeletal wasting.