Use of antisense oligonucleotides to study the myotonin gene expression in C2 mouse cells

By describing the behavior of myotonin mRNA levels, from the quiescent to the differentiated state in C2 mouse myoblasts, we produced evidence bearing on the role of myotonin gene product in the control of cell growth and differentiation. To study the role of myotonin in myotonic dystrophy (DM) pathogenesis, we developed a suitable cellular model where myotonin gene expression was modulated by phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides in C2 cultured cells. Furthermore, an isoform of the gene product, similar to that described in humans and not yet described in the mouse, was found.