Regulates focal adhesion turnover resulting in changes in focal adhesion size, cell adhesion and cell spreading, potentially via transcriptional modulation of beta-integrins. Required to maintain gingival epithelial barrier function. Required for cardiac sodium current propagation and electrical synchrony in cardiac myocytes, via ANK3 stabilization and modulation of SCN5A/Nav1.5 localization to cell-cell junctions. Required for the formation of desmosome cell junctions in cardiomyocytes, thereby required for the correct formation of the heart, specifically trabeculation and formation of the atria walls. Loss of desmosome cell junctions leads to mis-localization of DSP and DSG2 resulting in disruption of cell-cell adhesion and disordered intermediate filaments. Modulates profibrotic gene expression in cardiomyocytes via regulation of DSP expression and subsequent activation of downstream TGFB1 and MAPK14/p38 MAPK signaling. Required for mitochondrial function, nuclear envelope integrity and positive regulation of SIRT3 transcription via maintaining DES localization at its nuclear envelope and cell tip anchoring points, and thereby preserving regulation of the transcriptional program. Maintenance of nuclear envelope integrity protects against DNA damage and transcriptional dysregulation of genes, especially those involved in the electron transport chain, thereby preserving mitochondrial function and protecting against superoxide radical anion generation. May play a role in junctional plaques. Involved in the inhibition of viral infection by influenza A viruses (IAV). Acts as a host restriction factor for IAV viral propagation, potentially via disrupting the interaction of IAV polymerase complex proteins.