Muscular dystrophy is studied in three different mouse models each representing different deficiencies of DPC components: α7-deficient, laminin-α2 dyW null, and dystrophin-deficient mdx. PTRH2 expression and AKT signaling has been found to be decreased in α7-deficient and laminin-α2 dyW null mice but increased in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice45. The gene discussed is DMD; the disease is muscular dystrophy.