A 53 kDa intermediate filament protein known as desmin isrecognised by it. According to studies, this MAb exhibits nocross-reaction with other intermediate filament proteinsand is very specific to desmin. Desmin antibody respondswith both smooth and striated muscle cells (cardiac andskeletal). Staining is limited to the Z-bands in cardiac andskeletal muscles, giving them a distinctive striated look.Anti-desmin antibodies are helpful in identifying myogenictumours. It responds to both rhabdomyosarcomas (striatedmuscle) and leiomyosarcomas (smooth muscle).