biostudies-otherUnknown269(1)Leoni PThe Biochemical journal31-4https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC1131526The intermediate filament proteins desmin and vimentin from pregnant and non-pregnant uterine muscle and smooth-muscle cells in culture were analysed using SDS/PAGE. The desmin content in uterine muscle increases dramatically during pregnancy, whereas vimentin remains unchanged or changes very little. When muscle cells are kept in culture, a considerable increase in vimentin content is observed as compared with vimentin in freshly isolated non-pregnant uterine tissue. Our results strengthen the view that vimentin and desmin filaments have independent function and turnover, and point to a predominantly structural role for desmin filaments.biostudies-otherEurope PMCHalliday DLeoni PCarli FfalseIntermediate filaments in smooth muscle from pregnant and non-pregnant human uterus.The intermediate filament proteins desmin and vimentin from pregnant and non-pregnant uterine muscle and smooth-muscle cells in culture were analysed using SDS/PAGE. The desmin content in uterine muscle increases dramatically during pregnancy, whereas vimentin remains unchanged or changes very little. When muscle cells are kept in culture, a considerable increase in vimentin content is observed as compared with vimentin in freshly isolated non-pregnant uterine tissue. Our results strengthen the view that vimentin and desmin filaments have independent function and turnover, and point to a predominantly structural role for desmin filaments.1990-01-01T00:00:00Z1990 Jul2019-08-04T08:33:35Z2019-08-04T08:33:35ZS-EPMC113152610.1042/bj2690031