Description

Desmin is an intermediate filament protein of both smooth and striated muscles. Antibody to desmin reacts with striated (skeletal and cardiac) as well as smooth muscle cells. In skeletal and cardiac muscles, the staining is confined to the Z-bands giving a characteristic striated appearance. Anti-desmin antibody is useful in identification of tumors of myogenic origin. It reacts with leiomyosarcomas (smooth muscle) as well as rhabdomyosarcomas (striated muscle).