To test this hypothesis, we used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) to investigate 11 SNPs in ZBTB17, HSPB7 and ACTC1 in both DCM patients and normal subjects from a Han Chinese population. The gene discussed is HSPB7; the disease is familial dilated cardiomyopathy.