Desmin Chicken
Chicken gizzard.
Desmin, DES, CSM1, CSM2, CMD1I, FLJ12025, FLJ39719, FLJ41013, FLJ41793.
Greater than 98.0% as determined by SDS-PAGE.
Description
Desmin Chicken having a calculated molecular mass of 53 kDa, pI-5.4.
Product Specs
Desmin, DES, CSM1, CSM2, CMD1I, FLJ12025, FLJ39719, FLJ41013, FLJ41793.
Chicken gizzard.
Product Science Overview
Desmin was first identified as a major component of the intermediate filaments in muscle cells. These filaments are part of the cytoskeleton, which provides mechanical support and helps maintain the shape of the cell. In chicken gizzard, desmin is enriched along with 100-A filaments, which are essential for muscle contraction and stability .
The purification of desmin from chicken gizzard involves several steps, including homogenization, centrifugation, and solubilization. The process typically starts with the extraction of desmin using high salt concentrations, such as 1 M potassium iodide (KI). This step removes most of the actin, another protein found in muscle cells, but a small fraction of actin remains insoluble along with desmin .
Desmin can be further purified by repeated cycles of solubilization using 1 M acetic acid and subsequent precipitation by neutralization to pH 4. This method ensures that desmin is obtained in a relatively pure form, free from other contaminating proteins .
Desmin plays a critical role in the organization and function of muscle cells. It forms a network of filaments that link the contractile apparatus to the cell membrane and other cellular structures. This network is essential for the transmission of mechanical forces generated during muscle contraction.
In chicken gizzard, desmin is localized in dense bodies and longitudinal channels that link consecutive dense bodies. These structures are also occupied by actin, highlighting the close association between desmin and actin in muscle cells . The interaction between desmin and actin is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and proper functioning of the muscle tissue.
Desmin from chicken gizzard is widely used in research to study the properties and functions of intermediate filaments. It serves as a protein standard for various biochemical assays, including immunoblotting, immunization, and immunoassays . Researchers use desmin to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle diseases and to develop potential therapeutic strategies.
