Desmoglein

The desmoglein protein is an integral membrane protein and belongs to the group of calcium -binding cadherins. It is found again in epithelia, where it is a component of desmosomes ( macula adherens ), a Interzellularkontakt. Desmoglein, together with the most important proteins desmocollin adhesive protein in a desmosome, which has on the cytoplasmic side Zytoplasmaverdichtungen, called plaques. On the outer side of these plaques, facing the intercellular space, is the desmoglein and protrudes through the plasma membrane of the cell in the Interzellulärspalt ( Desmoglea ), where it adheres to the desmoglein the neighboring cells and thus produces an intercellular connection.

The important for the Interzellularkontakt connection between the desmoglein and the cytoplasmic intermediate filaments is being reinforced by plakoglobin in this binding mediated by desmoplakin.

A distinction desmogleins 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein the Desmoglein 2 is present in all desmosomes. Desmoglein 2 and 3 are mainly found in stratified squamous.

Mutations in the gene coding for the desmogleins genes may be responsible for rare inherited disorders, such as palmar-plantar keratoderma a ( SPPK1 Reason: DSG1 ), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy ( ARCM, cause:. DSG2 ) and a hypotrichosis ( LAH1 Reason: DSG4 ). Autoantibodies against desmoglein 3 are the cause of pemphigus vulgaris.