In the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, muscle contractions lead to force loss, which is attributed to myofibre damage. Here, the authors show that force loss is instead mediated by a redox circuit involving NOX2, PROX1, myoglobin and cytoplasmic actins, and suggest that it may be a protective mechanism to prevent excessive contraction-induced myofibre damage.
- John T. Olthoff
- Angus Lindsay
- James M. Ervasti