DES

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.

Desmin

Desmin; Intermediate Filament Protein; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated 1F (Autosomal Dominant); Mutant Desmin P.K241E; LGMD1D; LGMD1E;

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 (PubMed:25358400).

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 (PubMed:24200904, PubMed:25394388, PubMed:26724190).

May act as a sarcomeric microtubule-anchoring protein: specifically associates with detyrosinated tubulin-alpha chains, leading to buckled microtubules and mechanical resistance to contraction. Contributes to the transcriptional regulation of the NKX2-5 gene in cardiac progenitor cells during a short period of cardiomyogenesis and in cardiac side population stem cells in the adult. Plays a role in maintaining an optimal conformation of nebulette (NEB) on heart muscle sarcomeres to bind and recruit cardiac alpha-actin (By similarity).

Cytoskeleton organization Source: ProtInc
Intermediate filament organization Source: UniProtKB
Muscle contraction Source: ProtInc
Muscle filament sliding Source: Reactome
Regulation of heart contraction Source: ProtInc

Sarcolemma; Nucleus; Cytoplasm; Z line. Localizes in the intercalated disks which occur at the Z line of cardiomyocytes (PubMed:24200904, PubMed:26724190). Localizes in the nucleus exclusively in differentiating cardiac progenitor cells and premature cardiomyocytes (By similarity).

Myopathy, myofibrillar, 1 (MFM1):
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 (PubMed:19879535).
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.
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.
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.

ADP-ribosylation prevents ability to form intermediate filaments.
Phosphorylation at Ser-7, Ser-28 and Ser-32 by CDK1, phosphorylation at Ser-60 by AURKB and phosphorylation at Thr-76 by ROCK1 contribute to efficient separation of desmin intermediate filaments during mitosis.