Desmin Human
Description
Product Specs
Store the freeze-dried desmin at 2-8°C. Do not freeze. Once dissolved, store at -20°C. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.
Product Science Overview
Desmin belongs to the intermediate filament family of proteins, which also includes keratins, vimentin, and neurofilaments. These proteins form a network of filaments that provide mechanical support to cells and tissues. Desmin filaments are particularly important in muscle cells, where they help to maintain the structural integrity of the sarcomere, the basic unit of muscle contraction.
Desmin interacts with other proteins, such as dystrophin and myotubularin, to form a complex network that links the contractile apparatus to the cell membrane and extracellular matrix. This network is essential for the transmission of force generated during muscle contraction and for maintaining the overall structure of muscle cells.
Recombinant desmin is a form of the protein that is produced using recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the gene encoding desmin into a host organism, such as bacteria or yeast, which then produces the protein. Recombinant desmin is used in various research applications, including immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and immunization studies .
To produce recombinant desmin, the protein is typically expressed in a host organism and then purified using various biochemical techniques. The purified protein can be reconstituted into filaments by dissolving it in a high-concentration urea buffer and then gradually reducing the urea concentration through dialysis. This process allows the desmin molecules to assemble into protofilaments and filament complexes .
Recombinant desmin is widely used in research to study the structure and function of muscle cells. It is used as a protein standard in one-dimensional and two-dimensional SDS gel electrophoresis, which are techniques used to separate and analyze proteins based on their size and charge. Recombinant desmin is also used in immunoassays, such as ELISA, to detect the presence of desmin in biological samples .
In addition to its use in basic research, recombinant desmin has potential applications in the development of therapies for muscle diseases. Mutations in the desmin gene are associated with a group of muscle disorders known as desminopathies, which are characterized by muscle weakness and degeneration. By studying recombinant desmin, researchers can gain insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases and develop potential therapeutic strategies.
