Fig. 7: Schematic illustration for the role of Tmem65 in mouse hearts and the summary of this study.
From: Tmem65 is critical for the structure and function of the intercalated discs in mouse hearts
In control cardiomyocytes, Tmem65-β1 interaction is responsible for stabilizing the perinexus in the ICD and is needed for Cx43 and NaV1.5 localization to the ICD (image on the left). Conversely, reduced Tmem65 is associated with destabilized perinexus, reduced Cx43 and NaV1.5 at the ICD (image on the right). Desmosomes were also impaired in Tmem65 KD hearts. Specifically, the striated pattern of intermediate filament desmin and the localizations of desmosome proteins DSP and DSG2 to ICDs are markedly reduced in Tmem65 KD hearts.
