Moreover, mutations in exon 19 are present in humans with dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,211–213 individuals with these mutations exhibit intercalated disc defects, and the mutant proteins bind actin filaments differently than wild-type vinculin or metavinculin.211,212 Therefore, metavinculin expression in cardiomyocytes seems to be critical for cardiac health. This evidence concerns the gene VCL and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.