# Tetraspanin CD82 in muscle satellite cells quiescence and differentiation

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2021 · $377,718

## Abstract

SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The tetraspanins constitute an important family of proteins known to regulate the aggregation of protein
complexes at the cell membrane. Tetraspanins are known to bind and recruit other proteins at the cell
surface, such as integrins and cell adhesion molecules, thus initiating important cell decisions including
migration, adhesion and signaling activation. Our preliminary data demonstrate that the tetraspanin CD82
is expressed by muscle satellite cells where it binds to other proteins in a ~250Kd protein complex. One of
the protein members is α7-integrin (α7-ITG). Cultured myoblasts from α7-ITGnull mice show decreased
expression of CD82, suggesting a functional link between these two proteins. Additionally, muscle tissue
lysates from dystrophic mdx and α7-ITGnull mice show a decrease to near absence of the CD82-α7-ITG
protein complex compared to wild-type skeletal muscle. Lastly, muscle satellite cells from CD82 knockout
mice show a defect in cell proliferation. In the present application we propose to identify the additional
members of the CD82-α7-ITG complex, study the post-translational modifications of CD82 in satellite cells
and determine the stoichiometry of the complex in normal satellite cells (Aim1). In Aim 2, we will identify the
downstream signaling pathways of CD82 that lead to impaired cell proliferation of CD82 knockout satellite
cells. We will investigate if these molecules are downstream signaling effectors of α7-ITG, or are unrelated
to α7-ITG function. Finally, in Aim 3 we will study whether overexpression of CD82 in satellite cells can
enhance their in vivo reparative capacity and improve the overall function of dystrophic muscle. These
studies will advance our understanding on the role of this specific tetraspanin in satellite cell activity and will
provide the groundwork for future therapies aimed at enhancing the expression of the CD82 protein
complex in dystrophic muscle.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9937662
- **Project number:** 5R01AR069582-04
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** EMANUELA GUSSONI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $377,718
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-12 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9937662

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9937662, Tetraspanin CD82 in muscle satellite cells quiescence and differentiation (5R01AR069582-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9937662. Licensed CC0.

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