Sarcolemma

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Sarcolemma (in Greek σάρξ sárx , German 'meat' ) is the general name for the cell membrane of the muscle cell .

The important protein dystrophin , which helps stabilize the cell membrane, is deposited on the inside . The lack of dystrophin causes muscle weakness, as a result of which muscle tissue is replaced by connective and adipose tissue (see muscular dystrophy ). In addition, the cell membrane forms tubular folds that extend far into the sarcoplasm (corresponds to the cytoplasm ). These folds are called transversal tubules ( T-tubules ), which are connected to the double longitudinal system ( L-tubules , calcium stores). This creates a triad in the skeletal muscles , which is important for muscle excitation (through the influx of calcium) in the skeletal muscles. In the striated heart muscles , the L-tubules surround the myofibrils in their entire length and are attached to the T-tubules on one side only. They form a diad with the T-tubules.

In the absence of the protein dystrophin

Without the protein dystrophin, the cytoskeletal connections to the extracellular matrix are lost, so that the muscle cells lose their stability and cracks develop. This allows calcium to flow into the muscle cell without interruption and a permanent contraction occurs, which then leads to muscular dystrophy.