Nonsyndromic isolated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular enlargement and systolic dysfunction, a reduction in the myocardial force of contraction. DCM usually presents with any one of the following: (1) Heart failure with symptoms of congestion (edema, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea) and/or reduced cardiac output (fatigue, dyspnea on exertion); (2) arrhythmias and/or conduction system disease; (3) thromboembolic disease (from left ventricular mural thrombus) including stroke. [from Dilated Cardiomyopathy Overview, pubmed:20301486 2016.01.26]

Dilated cardiomyopathy (CMD) is characterized by cardiac dilatation and reduced systolic function. CMD is the most frequent form of cardiomyopathy and accounts for more than half of all cardiac transplantations performed in patients between 1 and 10 years of age. A heritable pattern is present in 20 to 30% of cases. Most familial CMD pedigrees show an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, usually presenting in the second or third decade of life (summary by Levitas et al., 2010, pubmed:20551992). [from MIM:115200, 2016.01.27]

The protein encoded by this gene is found as a pentamer and is a major substrate for the cAMP-dependent protein kinase in cardiac muscle. The encoded protein is an inhibitor of cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in the unphosphorylated state, but inhibition is relieved upon phosphorylation of the protein. The subsequent activation of the Ca(2+) pump leads to enhanced muscle relaxation rates, thereby contributing to the inotropic response elicited in heart by beta-agonists. The encoded protein is a key regulator of cardiac diastolic function. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Phospholamban (PLN) is expressed in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane as a 30-kD homopentamer. It controls cellular calcium levels by a mechanism that depends on its phosphorylation (summary by Oxenoid and Chou, 2005, pubmed:16043693). [From MIM:172405, 2016.02.01]