Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for identifying compositions which increase the expression of ?7 integrin protein in muscle cells of dystrophy patients. The present disclosure further provides compositions and sequences for the diagnosis, genetic therapy of certain muscular dystrophies, especially muscular dystrophy resulting from a deficiency in an ?7 integrin protein or a dystrophin protein or a combined deficiency in dystrophin and utrophin, and methods and compositions for the identification of compounds which increase expression of the ?7 integrin. Expression of the integrin ?BX2 polypeptide in muscle cells results in better physical condition in a patient or an animal lacking normal levels of dystrophin or dystrophin and utrophin.