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Complexity and expression patterns of the desmosomal cadherins.
P J Koch1, M D Goldschmidt, R Zimbelmann
1Institute of Cell and Tumor Biology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg.
Summary
Desmosomes, crucial for cell adhesion, involve desmoglein and desmocollins. These proteins are not single gene products but diverse subtypes, indicating complex desmosome composition across epithelia.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Desmosomes are key intercellular junctions mediating cell-cell adhesion.
- They contain transmembrane glycoproteins: desmoglein and desmocollins (I and II).
- These glycoproteins are members of the cadherin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether desmoglein and desmocollins are unique gene products.
- To analyze the diversity and expression of desmosomal cadherins.
- To understand the complexity of desmosome composition in different epithelia.
Main Methods:
- cDNA sequence analysis
- Northern blot experiments
- In situ hybridization
Main Results:
- Desmoglein and desmocollins are encoded by multiple genes, producing different subtypes.
- Significant amino acid sequence divergence exists between desmocollin types and desmoglein subtypes.
- Desmoglein genes show differential expression, while desmocollin types can co-exist in the same cells.
Conclusions:
- The cadherin composition of desmosomes is more complex than previously understood.
- Desmosome composition varies significantly among different epithelial tissues.
- This diversity suggests specialized roles for different desmosomal cadherin subtypes in epithelial function.