β and γ-sarcoglycans are decreased in the detrusor smooth muscle cells of the partially obstructed rabbit bladder

Purpose: We evaluated and quantified the levels of sarcoglycans present in the detrusor muscle layer of rabbits with partial bladder outlet obstruction. Materials and Methods: Rabbits underwent surgery, as previously described, to partially obstruct the urethra. One, 3, 7 and 14 days after obstruction the detrusor muscle layer was dissected free of the remaining bladder tissue and extracted with detergent to isolate the transmembrane components of the dystroglycan-glycoprotein complex. Several components of the dystroglyean-glycoprotein complex were characterized and quantified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryl,amide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. Results: Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis several bands were noted on gels with a molecular weight (43 and 35 kDa, respectively) corresponding to beta and -gamma-sarcoglycan. As obstruction progressed longitudinally, the levels of beta and gamma-sarcoglycan showed progressive decrease at the protein level with beta-sarcoglycan levels recovering at later time points. Bladders with a functional physiology that showed more advanced symptoms of dysfunction had a greater decrease in beta and gamma-sarcoglycan protein. Conclusions: The levels of beta and gamma-sarcoglycan progressively change with obstruction with greater changes occurring in the levels of gamma-sareoglycan. It is likely that alterations in the dystroglycan-glycoprotein complex are responsible for some of the changes in muscle physiology that occur as a consequence of obstruction.