Des - desmin

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 and are essential for maintaining the strength and integrity of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle fibers. Mutations in this gene affect assembly of intermediate filaments. Mice lacking this gene are able to develop and reproduce but exhibit abnormal muscle fibers. Mutations in the human gene are associated with myofibrillar myopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, neurogenic scapuloperoneal syndrome and autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2R. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2014]