Syncoilin, an intermediate filament-like protein linked to the dystrophin associated protein complex in skeletal muscle

Syncoilin is a member of the intermediate filament protein family, highly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Syncoilin binds alpha-dystrobrevin, a component of the dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC) located at the muscle cell membrane, and desmin, a muscle-specific intermediate filament protein, thus providing a link between the DAPC and the muscle intermediate filament network. This link may be important for muscle integrity and force transduction during contraction, a theory that is supported by the reduced force-generating capacity of muscles from syncoilin-null mice. Additionally, syncoilin is found at increased levels in the regenerating muscle fibres of patients with muscular dystrophies and mouse models of muscle disease. Therefore, syncoilin may be important for muscle regeneration in response to injury. The aims of this article are to review current knowledge about syncoilin and to discuss its possible functions in skeletal muscle.