Desmin

Intermediate filaments together with microfilaments and microtubules form a major part of the extensive cytoplasmic network called the cytoskeleton. Desmin is a 56 kD intermediate filament expressed by cells of smooth, skeletal, and cardiac muscle. In myofibrils, desmin is localized in skeletal and cardiac muscle Z lines, in regions of cell-cell juncture, at the site of apposition of the Z line with the plasma membrane, and in cardiac intercalated disks. The specificity of Desmin to muscle cells makes it a useful marker in identifying sarcomas derived from smooth and striated muscle cells such as leiomyosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas. This antibody does not cross-react detectably with GFAP, keratin, vimentin, or neurofilament. This antibody stains positive in muscle cells.