VCL and dilated cardiomyopathy: In the muscle LIM protein (MLP, also called Csrp3)-knockout mouse, a model for dilated cardiomyopathy, the levels of α-catenin, vinculin and F-actin were increased at the intercalated disc, which could well be an adaptive response in supporting the increased mechanical load of the failing heart (Ehler et al. 2001).