Phenotypic expression of a novel desmin gene mutation: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy followed by systemic myopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous disease caused by gene mutations. Most of the disease-causing mutations were found in the genes for sarcomeric proteins, but there are several cases carrying mutations in genes for extra-sarcomeric cytoskeletons. Desmin is a member of extra-sarcomeric cytoskeletons and plays an important role in muscle contraction. Mutations in the desmin gene cause various type of general myopathy and/or...