Function
Muscle-specific type III intermediate filament essential for proper muscular structure and function. Plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of sarcomeres, inter-connecting the Z-disks and forming the myofibrils, linking them not only to the sarcolemmal cytoskeleton, but also to the nucleus and mitochondria, thus providing strength for the muscle fiber during activity. 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.
Biological Context
Subcellular Location: Cytoplasm, myofibril, sarcomere, Z line; Cytoplasm; Cell membrane, sarcolemma; Nucleus; Cell tip; Nucleus envelope
Disease Association: Myopathy, myofibrillar, 1 (MFM1) : A form of myofibrillar myopathy, a group of chronic neuromuscular disorders characterized at ultrastructural level by disintegration of the sarcomeric Z disk and myofibrils, and replacement of the normal myofibrillar markings by small dense granules, or larger hyaline masses, or amorphous material. MFM1 is characterized by skeletal muscle weakness associated with cardiac conduction blocks, arrhythmias, restrictive heart failure, and accumulation of desmin-reactive deposits in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells. [The disease is caused by variants 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 ] | Cardiomyopathy, dilated, 1I (CMD1I) : A disorder characterized by ventricular dilation and impaired systolic function, resulting in congestive heart failure and arrhythmia. Patients are at risk of premature death. [The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry] | Neurogenic scapuloperoneal syndrome Kaeser type (Kaeser syndrome) : 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. [The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry]
Product Specifications
Mouse anti-Human/Mouse/Rat DES Monoclonal Antibody is a recombinant protein. Suitable for ELISA and Western Blot applications. Explore more Antibody products →

