Proteins of the sarcomere, cytoskeleton, sarcolemma, and ECM of muscle, which are connected. Mutations in δ-sarcoglycan, dystrophin, actin, desmin, and lamin A/C are known to cause DCM. All of these genes also cause forms of skeletal myopathy when mutated. Mutations in any of the genes illustrated could potentially cause DCM and/or skeletal myopathy, forming the basis of the “final common pathway.” Signaling pathways (such as nNos) interacting with these proteins are likely to modify the phenotype.