Extended Data Fig. 8: A modified schematic of the DGC based on our structure.
From: Structure and assembly of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex
In this model, sarcoglycans play a central role in complex assembly. In the extracellular side, β-, γ-, and δ-sarcoglycans co-fold to form a large ECD tower, which serves as docking sites for multiple extracellular domains from other components. In the transmembrane region, the sarcoglycans and sarcospan flank two sides of the transmembrane of β-DG, thereby stabilizing the latter. In the cytoplasmic region, sarcoglycans and β-DG directly interact with the ZZ domain of dystrophin. The structural features of the DGC, including the characteristic tilt angle of the ECD tower, enable it to efficiently connect the two sides of sarcolemma and transmit both longitudinal and lateral forces.
