Desmin (DES) Antibody – Rabbit Monoclonal

This gene encodes a muscle-specific class III intermediate filament. Homopolymers of this protein form a stable intracytoplasmic filamentous network connecting myofibrils to each other and to the plasma membrane. Mutations in this gene are associated with desmin-related myopathy, a familial cardiac and skeletal myopathy (CSM), and with distal myopathies. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Function: Desmin are class-III intermediate filaments found in muscle cells. In adult striated muscle they form a fibrous network connecting myofibrils to each other and to the plasma membrane from the periphery of the Z-line structures.

Subunit structure: Homopolymer. Interacts with DST

By similarity. Interacts with MTM1. Ref.12

Subcellular location: Cytoplasm.

Post-translational modification: ADP-ribosylation prevents ability to form intermediate filaments

By similarity.

Involvement in disease: Myopathy, myofibrillar, 1 (MFM1) [MIM:601419]: A neuromuscular disorder characterized by skeletal muscle weakness associated with cardiac conduction blocks, arrhythmias, restrictive heart failure, and by myofibrillar destruction with intracytoplasmic accumulation of desmin-reactive deposits in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Mutations in the DES gene are associated with a variable clinical phenotype which encompasses isolated myopathies, pure cardiac phenotypes (including dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), cardiac conduction disease, and combinations of these disorders. If both cardiologic and neurologic features occur, they can manifest in any order, as cardiologic features can precede, occur simultaneously with, or follow manifestation of generalized neuromuscular disease (Ref.30). Ref.4 Ref.6 Ref.7 Ref.9 Ref.16 Ref.17 Ref.18 Ref.19 Ref.20 Ref.22 Ref.23 Ref.24 Ref.25 Ref.26 Ref.28 Ref.29 Ref.30 Ref.31 Ref.33 Ref.34Cardiomyopathy, dilated 1I (CMD1I) [MIM:604765]: A disorder characterized by ventricular dilation and impaired systolic function, resulting in congestive heart failure and arrhythmia. Patients are at risk of premature death.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.5Neurogenic scapuloperoneal syndrome Kaeser type (Kaeser syndrome) [MIM:181400]: Autosomal dominant disorder with a peculiar scapuloperoneal distribution of weakness and atrophy. A large clinical variability is observed ranging from scapuloperoneal, limb grindle and distal phenotypes with variable cardiac or respiratory involvement. Facial weakness, dysphagia and gynaecomastia are frequent additional symptoms. Affected men seemingly bear a higher risk of sudden, cardiac death as compared to affected women. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of muscle biopsy specimens reveal a wide spectrum of findings ranging from near normal or unspecific pathology to typical, myofibrillar changes with accumulation of desmin.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry.Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2R (LGMD2R) [MIM:615325]: A form of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a disease characterized by proximal weakness, weakness of the hip and shoulder girdles and prominent asymmetrical quadriceps femoris and biceps brachii atrophy.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.15

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the intermediate filament family.