Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analysis and Imaging
12:15

The C. elegans Intestine As a Model for Intercellular Lumen Morphogenesis and In Vivo Polarized Membrane Biogenesis at the Single-cell Level: Labeling by Antibody Staining, RNAi Loss-of-function Analysis and Imaging

Published on: October 3, 2017

Identification of an epithelial protein related to the desmosome and intermediate filament network

P Ouyang1, S P Sugrue

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

The Journal of Cell Biology
|September 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

A novel 140,000 M(r) protein associated with desmosomes was identified. This protein, recruited to desmosomes, may organize and stabilize epithelial cell junctions and intermediate filaments.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Epithelial Cell Biology
  • Protein Biochemistry

Background:

  • Desmosomes are crucial intercellular junctions in epithelial tissues.
  • The molecular mechanisms of desmosome assembly and stabilization are not fully understood.
  • Identifying novel desmosomal components is key to understanding epithelial tissue integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel proteins associated with desmosomes in epithelial cells.
  • To investigate the localization and assembly dynamics of a newly identified desmosomal protein.
  • To explore the potential role of this protein in the organization of desmosome-intermediate filament complexes.

Main Methods:

  • Monoclonal antibody (mAb) 08L production and characterization.
  • Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy for antigen localization.
  • Western blotting and biochemical extraction to determine protein properties.
  • Calcium-switch assays and double immunofluorescence to study protein recruitment to desmosomes.

Main Results:

  • A novel ~140,000 M(r) protein (08L antigen) was identified and localized to the cytosolic side of desmosomal plaques.
  • The 08L antigen is recruited to desmosomes during their assembly and is found in Triton-X 100 insoluble fractions, extractable by high salt buffers.
  • 08L association with desmosomes correlated with increased organization of the intermediate filament network.

Conclusions:

  • The 08L antigen is a novel desmosomal protein involved in the organization and stabilization of desmosome-intermediate filament complexes.
  • This protein may play a significant role in maintaining epithelial tissue structure and function.
  • Further research into the 08L antigen's precise function could reveal new insights into cell adhesion and tissue mechanics.

More Related Videos

Measuring Interactions of Globular and Filamentous Proteins by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Microscale Thermophoresis (MST)10:28

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

Published on: November 2, 2018

Immunostaining and Dye Penetration Experiments to Define Core Pleated Septate Junction Proteins in Drosophila Embryonic Epithelia09:37

Immunostaining and Dye Penetration Experiments to Define Core Pleated Septate Junction Proteins in Drosophila Embryonic Epithelia

Published on: February 27, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins01:09

Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins

Plakins are large proteins with binding domains for microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and membrane-associated protein complexes at cell junctions. Plakin functions are evolutionarily conserved and are primarily involved in organizing the different components of the cytoskeleton by crosslinking them to each other and connecting them to the cell-matrix and cell adhesion complexes. They are also known to interact with signal transducers, serve as scaffolds for signaling...
Types of Intermediate Filaments01:31

Types of Intermediate Filaments

The intermediate filaments are an essential component of the cytoskeleton. Presently six types of intermediate filament have been identified. Type I and II are acidic and basic keratin proteins. Type III is of mesodermal origin and comprises four proteins: vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and peripherin. Vimentin is commonly found in mesenchymal cells, desmin in muscle cells, GFAP in astrocytes, while peripherin is found in peripheral nervous system neurons (PNS). Type...
Integrins01:10

Integrins

Animal and protozoan cells do not have cell walls to help maintain shape and provide structural stability. Instead, these eukaryotic cells secrete a sticky mass of carbohydrates and proteins into the spaces between adjacent cells. This network of proteins and molecules is called an extracellular matrix or ECM.
Some ECM proteins assemble into a basement membrane to which the remaining components adhere. Proteoglycans typically form the bulk of the ECM while fibrous proteins, like collagen,...
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...
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...