Dag1 Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
DAG1 (Dystroglycan 1) encodes a critical component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex that provides structural stability to muscle fibers and is also important for neuronal migration, synapse organization, and blood-brain barrier maintenance. [1]
| Property | Value | [2]
|----------|-------| [3]
| Gene Symbol | DAG1 | [4]
| Full Name | Dystroglycan 1 |
| Chromosomal Location | 3p21.31 |
| NCBI Gene ID | 1745 |
| OMIM ID | 128239 |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000173402 |
| UniProt ID | Q07421 |
| Protein Name | Dystroglycan (α and β subunits) |
| Molecular Weight | α-DG: ~156 kDa; β-DG: ~43 kDa |
The DAG1 gene spans approximately 15 kb on chromosome 3p21.31 and contains 2 exons. It encodes a precursor protein that is post-translationally cleaved to form α-dystroglycan and β-dystroglycan subunits.
Dystroglycan consists of two subunits:
Dystroglycan is a core component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC):
Mutations in DAG1 cause several forms of muscular dystrophy:
DAG1 plays roles in the nervous system relevant to neurodegeneration:
DAG1 is widely expressed:
| Approach | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gene therapy | Research | Deliver functional DAG1 |
| Pharmacological chaperones | Research | Stabilize mutant protein |
| Cell therapy | Preclinical | Stem cell approaches |
The study of Dag1 Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Last updated: 2026-03-04
Moore CJ, et al. "Dystroglycan in the nervous system." J Neurosci Res. J Neurosci Res. 2000. ↩︎
Cohn RD, et al. "Dystroglycanopathy." Brain. Brain. 2005. ↩︎
Michele DE, et al. "Dystroglycan in muscle disease." Neurology. Neurology. 2002. ↩︎
Saito F, et al. "Dystroglycan and muscular dystrophy." Acta Myol. Acta Myol. 2005. ↩︎