sarcoglycan alpha
Last updated 19 Nov 2025
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
The SGCA gene provides instructions for making the alpha component (subunit) of a group of proteins called the sarcoglycan protein complex. The sarcoglycan protein complex is located in the membrane surrounding muscle cells. It helps maintain the structure of muscle tissue by attaching (binding) to and stabilizing the dystrophin complex, which is made up of proteins called dystrophins and dystroglycans. The large dystrophin complex strengthens muscle fibers and protects them from injury as muscles tense (contract) and relax. It acts as an anchor, connecting each muscle cell's structural framework (cytoskeleton) with the lattice of proteins and other molecules outside the cell (extracellular matrix).
Normal function
The SGCA gene provides instructions for making the alpha component (subunit) of a group of proteins called the sarcoglycan protein complex. The sarcoglycan protein complex is located in the membrane surrounding muscle cells. It helps maintain the structure of muscle tissue by attaching (binding) to and stabilizing the dystrophin complex, which is made up of proteins called dystrophins and dystroglycans. The large dystrophin complex strengthens muscle fibers and protects them from injury as muscles tense (contract) and relax. It acts as an anchor, connecting each muscle cell's structural framework (cytoskeleton) with the lattice of proteins and other molecules outside the cell (extracellular matrix).
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
50 kDa dystrophin-associated glycoprotein
50-DAG
50DAG
50kD DAG
adhalin
ADL
alpha-sarcoglycan
alpha-SG
DAG2
DMDA2
dystroglycan-2
LGMD2D
sarcoglycan, alpha (50kDa dystrophin-associated glycoprotein)
SCARMD1
SG-alpha
SGCA_HUMAN
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Uveitis
The uveal tract is the name given to the part of your eye that is made up of: The iris : the part of your eye that gives it colour. The ciliary body : a small ring-like muscle that sits behind your iris and which helps the eye to focus. The choroid : the layer of tissue between your retina and your sclera, containing blood vessels and a pigment.
Patient information leaflet
High blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) happens when the force on the walls of blood vessels (caused by the blood within them) is more than normal. This means the heart has to work harder and the blood vessels are under more strain, making it a major risk factor for heart disease , stroke and other serious conditions. What is high blood pressure. High.
Patient information leaflet
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is a cancer that arises from a testicle (testis). Around half of all cases occur in men aged under 35 but testicular cancer rarely occurs before puberty. Another useful test i... The tumour markers commonly tested for are alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and.
Patient information leaflet
Primary liver cancer
What is the liver. The liver is in the upper right part of the tummy (abdomen). It has many functions which include: Storing fuel for the body (called glycogen), which is made from sugars. When required, glycogen is broken down into glucose which is released into the bloodstream. Helping to process fats and proteins from digested food. Making.
Patient information leaflet
Liver function tests
Each of these is discussed below. The liver performs hundreds of different functions, so there are many other possible tests that look at its health. These would normally be done if an abnormality is found with the basic liver function tests described here, or if a specific problem is suspected. They might include: Virus tests - for example, for.
Patient information leaflet
SARS and MERS virus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) are viral infections. Both infections can cause very serious illnesses that particularly affect the lungs. SARS caused many infections, especially in Asia, in 2002-2004 but was not heard of for some time. A SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak emerged in Wuhan, China in.
Further reading and references
- sarcoglycan alpha; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Broglio L, Tentorio M, Cotelli MS, Mancuso M, Vielmi V, Gregorelli V, Padovani A, Filosto M. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-associated protein diseases. Neurologist. 2010 Nov;16(6):340-52. doi: 10.1097/NRL.0b013e3181d35b39.
- Guglieri M, Magri F, Comi GP. Molecular etiopathogenesis of limb girdle muscular and congenital muscular dystrophies: boundaries and contiguities. Clin Chim Acta. 2005 Nov;361(1-2):54-79. doi: 10.1016/j.cccn.2005.05.020.
- Guglieri M, Straub V, Bushby K, Lochmuller H. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies. Curr Opin Neurol. 2008 Oct;21(5):576-84. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0b013e32830efdc2.
- Hack AA, Groh ME, McNally EM. Sarcoglycans in muscular dystrophy. Microsc Res Tech. 2000 Feb 1-15;48(3-4):167-80. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0029(20000201/15)48:3/43.0.CO;2-T.
- Laval SH, Bushby KM. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies--from genetics to molecular pathology. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol. 2004 Apr;30(2):91-105. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2004.00555.x.
- Meena AK, Sreenivas D, Sundaram C, Rajasekhar R, Sita JS, Borgohain R, Suvarna A, Kaul S. Sarcoglycanopathies: a clinico-pathological study. Neurol India. 2007 Apr-Jun;55(2):117-21. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.32781.
- Ozawa E, Mizuno Y, Hagiwara Y, Sasaoka T, Yoshida M. Molecular and cell biology of the sarcoglycan complex. Muscle Nerve. 2005 Nov;32(5):563-76. doi: 10.1002/mus.20349.
- Sandona D, Betto R. Sarcoglycanopathies: molecular pathogenesis and therapeutic prospects. Expert Rev Mol Med. 2009 Sep 28;11:e28. doi: 10.1017/S1462399409001203.
- Straub V, Bushby K. The childhood limb-girdle muscular dystrophies. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2006 Jun;13(2):104-14. doi: 10.1016/j.spen.2006.06.006.
- Trabelsi M, Kavian N, Daoud F, Commere V, Deburgrave N, Beugnet C, Llense S, Barbot JC, Vasson A, Kaplan JC, Leturcq F, Chelly J. Revised spectrum of mutations in sarcoglycanopathies. Eur J Hum Genet. 2008 Jul;16(7):793-803. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2008.9. Epub 2008 Feb 20.
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.