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Plakophilins 1a and 1b: widespread nuclear proteins recruited in specific epithelial cells as desmosomal plaque

A Schmidt1, L Langbein, M Rode

  • 1Division of Cell Biology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Cell and Tissue Research
|February 7, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Plakophilin 1 exists as two isoforms, 1a and 1b, both found in the cell nucleus. Plakophilin 1a also localizes to desmosomes in specific epithelial cells, suggesting a role in differentiation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Plakophilin 1 (band 6 protein) was initially identified as a single species in desmosomal plaques.
  • It is primarily found in stratified squamous and complex epithelia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence and localization of plakophilin 1 isoforms.
  • To determine the cellular distribution and potential functional roles of these isoforms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized isoform-specific antibodies for immunolocalization studies.
  • Employed transfection with cDNAs to study protein overexpression.
  • Investigated protein localization in various cell types and Xenopus oocytes.

Main Results:

  • Identified two plakophilin 1 isoforms: plakophilin 1a (726 aa) and plakophilin 1b (747 aa), arising from alternative splicing.
  • Both isoforms are present in the nucleoplasm of diverse cells, including non-desmosome-forming cells.
  • Plakophilin 1a is found in both nuclei and desmosomes, while plakophilin 1b is exclusively nuclear.

Conclusions:

  • Plakophilins 1a and 1b are constitutive nuclear proteins encoded by a single gene.
  • Plakophilin 1 expression is not linked to epithelial differentiation pathways.
  • Plakophilin 1a's presence in desmosomes is regulated by differentiation-dependent recruitment, suggesting roles in cell adhesion and signaling.

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