Expression of the giant protein AHNAK (desmoyokin) in muscle and lining epithelial cells.

Here we report a detailed analysis of the expression and localization of the giant protein AHNAK in adult mouse tissues. We show that AHNAK is widely expressed in muscle cells, including cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, skeletal muscle, myoepithelium, and myofibroblasts. AHNAK is also specifically expressed in epithelial cells of most lining epithelium, but is absent in epithelium with more specialized secretory or absorptive functions. In all adult tissues, the main localization of AHNAK is at the plasma membrane. A role for AHNAK in the specific organization and the structural support of the plasma membrane common to muscle and lining epithelium is discussed.