In mammalian cells, vinculin is a membrane-cytoskeletal protein in focal adhesion plaques that is involved in linkage of integrin adhesion molecules to the actin cytoskeleton. Vinculin is a cytoskeletal protein associated with cell-cell and cell-matri, Xenopus/Amphibian, junctions, where it is thought to function as one of several interacting proteins involved in anchoring F-actin to the membrane. Defects in inculin are the cause of cardiomyopathy dilated type 1W (CMD1W). Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disorder characterized by ventricular dilation and impaired systolic function, resulting in congestive heart failure and arrhythmia. Patients are at risk of premature death.