| Post Translational Modifications | 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. Ubiquitination by a SCF-like complex containing ASB2 isoform 1 leads to proteasomal degradation. |
| 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. May act as a sarcomeric microtubule-anchoring protein: specifically associates with detyrosinated tubulin-alpha chains, leading to buckled microtubules and mechanical resistance to contraction. Required for nuclear membrane integrity, via anchoring at the cell tip and nuclear envelope, resulting in maintenance of microtubule-derived intracellular mechanical forces. 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. |
| Protein Name | Desmin |
| Database Links | Reactome: R-HSA-390522 |
| Cellular Localisation | CytoplasmMyofibrilSarcomereZ LineCell MembraneSarcolemmaNucleusCell TipNucleus EnvelopeLocalizes In The Intercalated Disks Which Occur At The Z Line Of CardiomyocytesLocalizes In The Nucleus Exclusively In Differentiating Cardiac Progenitor Cells And Premature CardiomyocytesPkp2 Is Required For Correct Anchoring Of Des At The Cell Tip And Nuclear Envelope |
| Alternative Antibody Names | Anti-Desmin antibodyAnti-DES antibody |
Information sourced from Uniprot.org
