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Extracellularly truncated desmoglein 1 compromises desmosomes in MDCK cells
N Serpente1, C Marcozzi, G A Roberts
1Division of Membrane Biology, National Institute for Medical Research, Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK.
The extracellular domain of desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) is crucial for epithelial tissue stability. Deleting this domain disrupts desmosome formation and cell adhesion, impacting tissue integrity.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Epithelial tissue formation
- Desmosome structure and function
Background:
- Epithelial tissue stability relies on desmosomes, which connect cells via cadherins like Desmocollins (Dsc) and Desmogleins (Dsg).
- Intracellular proteins Plakoglobin (PG), Plakophilins (PPs), and Desmoplakin (DP) link desmosomes to intermediate filaments.
- Prior research focused on intracellular desmoglein domains; this study investigates the extracellular domain's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the extracellular domain of Desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) in maintaining desmosome stability within Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells.
- To analyze the impact of an extracellularly deleted Dsg1 (Dsg1 delta EC) on desmosome formation and epithelial cell behavior.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a Dsg1 construct with an extracellular deletion (Dsg1 delta EC).
- Expressed Dsg1 delta EC in MDCK cells and isolated a high-expressing clone.
- Assessed desmosome formation in cell monolayers and 3D collagen cultures under mechanical stress.
Main Results:
- Ectopic expression of Dsg1 delta EC disturbed the cytokeratin network in MDCK cells.
- Observed alterations in desmosome quality and quantity, and impaired cyst formation in suspension cultures.
- Dsg1 delta EC failed to localize to desmosomes but retained intracellular interaction with Plakoglobin (PG).
Conclusions:
- The extracellular domain of Dsg1 is essential for proper desmosome localization and epithelial tissue stability.
- Disruption of desmosome formation by Dsg1 delta EC appears to stem from Plakoglobin (PG) and/or Plakophilin (PP) sequestration.
- This suggests a critical role for extracellular interactions in regulating intracellular desmosome complex assembly and function.
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