Genetic ablation of several Z-disc and costameric proteins results in DCM in mice, including deletion of Cypher/ZASP [14], muscle LIM protein (MLP) [15], enigma homologue protein (ENH) [16], integrin-linked kinase (ILK) [17], or vinculin [18]. This evidence concerns the gene ILK and familial dilated cardiomyopathy.