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Related Concept Videos

Desmosomes01:05

Desmosomes

The term desmosome derives from the Greek words "desmo" and "soma" meaning "adhesion bodies." This structure was first observed during the late 1800s and described as small, dense nodules in the epidermis. Desmosomes are button-like structures that help form an interlinked network of intermediate filaments across the cells. These junctions are  essential to hold cells together under mechanical stress and to maintain tissue integrity. Desmosomes are multi-protein complexes comprising desmosomal...
Anchoring Junctions01:03

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Plasmodesmata01:20

Plasmodesmata

In a multicellular organism, cells must communicate to work together in a coordinated manner. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.
Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal cells include tight junctions, gap junctions, and...
Plasmodesmata02:32

Plasmodesmata

The organs in a multicellular organism’s body are made up of tissues formed by cells. To work together cohesively, cells must communicate. One way that cells communicate is through direct contact with other cells. The points of contact that connect adjacent cells are called intercellular junctions.Intercellular junctions are a feature of fungal, plant, and animal cells alike. However, different types of junctions are found in different kinds of cells. Intercellular junctions found in animal...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Measuring Interactions of Globular and Filamentous Proteins by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Microscale Thermophoresis (MST)
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Measuring Interactions of Globular and Filamentous Proteins by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Microscale Thermophoresis (MST)

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The desmosome.

Emmanuella Delva1, Dana K Tucker, Andrew P Kowalczyk

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|January 13, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Desmosomes are crucial cell adhesion structures. These junctions, composed of desmogleins, desmocollins, and plakoglobin, link intermediate filaments to the cell membrane, impacting tissue architecture.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Desmosomes are essential intercellular junctions providing mechanical strength to tissues.
  • They mediate cell-cell adhesion by connecting intermediate filaments across cell membranes.
  • Key proteins include desmogleins, desmocollins, plakoglobin, plakophilins, and desmoplakin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the structure and function of major desmosomal proteins.
  • To explore the role of desmosomes in tissue architecture and morphogenesis.
  • To highlight the dynamic nature of desmosomes beyond cell adhesion.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on desmosome structure and function.
  • Analysis of protein interactions within the desmosome complex.

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  • Examination of desmosome contributions to cellular processes.

    • Main Results:

    • Desmosomes are formed by desmogleins and desmocollins, linking intermediate filaments via plakoglobin, plakophilins, and desmoplakin.
    • These junctions are critical for stable cell-cell adhesion and tissue integrity.
    • Emerging evidence shows desmosomes are dynamic structures involved in morphogenesis.

    Conclusions:

    • Desmosomes are complex protein assemblies vital for tissue architecture.
    • Their dynamic nature extends their function beyond simple cell adhesion.
    • Understanding desmosome components and interactions is key to comprehending tissue development and stability.