Dystroglycan is a 156kD protein which co-purifies with dystrophin. a protein encoded by the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene. which may play a role in anchoring the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane. Dystrophin. which exists as a large oligomeric complex containing four glycoproteins of approximate molecular mass of 156. 50. 43 and 35kD and a protein triplet of 59kD. is localized to the sarcolemma membrane in skeletal muscle. The lack of dystrophin in skeletal muscle may lead to the loss of dystrophin-associated glycoproteins such as dystroglycan. The loss of dystroglycan may be one of the first stages in the molecular pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy