Figure 3.

Desmin and Cx43 form a scaffolding complex in skeletal myoblasts. (a) Desmin and Cx43 coimmunoprecipitate in isolated skeletal myoblasts. Protein lysates from isolated cardiac myocytes were coimmunoprecipitated (IP) with anti-desmin or anti-Cx43. Desmin and Cx43 IP samples were used in immunoblots with either anti-desmin or anti-Cx43. (b) Lysates of cultured wild-type (WT) skeletal myoblasts or desmin-overexpressing (OV) skeletal myoblasts were used to determine if desmin formed a complex with Cx43 and ZO-1. Desmin IP samples were used for immunoblots with anti-Cx43 and ZO-1. IgG was used as the negative control. N, normal hearts; F, failed hearts.