The desmogleins are a family of desmosomal

cadherin Cadherins (named for "calcium-dependent adhesion") are cell adhesion molecules important in forming adherens junctions that let cells adhere to each other. Cadherins are a class of type-1 transmembrane proteins, and they depend on calcium (Ca2+) ...

s consisting of proteins DSG1,

DSG2 Desmoglein-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''DSG2'' gene. Desmoglein-2 is highly expressed in epithelial cells and cardiomyocytes. Desmoglein-2 is localized to desmosome structures at regions of cell-cell contact and functions to s ...

DSG3 Desmoglein-3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''DSG3'' gene. In the skin epidermis Desmoglein-3 is expressed in the basal lower layers of the epidermis, and dominates in terms of expression on mucosal surfaces compared to Desmoglein-1 ...

, and DSG4. They play a role in the formation of

desmosome A desmosome (; "binding body"), also known as a macula adherens (plural: maculae adherentes) (Latin for ''adhering spot''), is a cell structure specialized for cell-to-cell adhesion. A type of junctional complex, they are localized spot-like ad ...

s that join cells to one another.

Pathology

Desmogleins are targeted in the

autoimmune disease An autoimmune disease is a condition that results from an anomalous response of the adaptive immune system, wherein it mistakenly targets and attacks healthy, functioning parts of the body as if they were foreign organisms. It is estimated tha ...

pemphigus Pemphigus ( or ) is a rare group of blistering autoimmune diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. The name is derived from the Greek root ''pemphix'', meaning "blister". In pemphigus, autoantibody, autoantibodies form against de ...

. Desmoglein proteins are a type of cadherin, which is a

transmembrane protein A transmembrane protein is a type of integral membrane protein that spans the entirety of the cell membrane. Many transmembrane proteins function as gateways to permit the transport of specific substances across the membrane. They frequently un ...

that binds with other cadherins to form junctions known as desmosomes between cells. These desmoglein proteins thus hold cells together, but, when the body starts producing

antibodies An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as bacteria and viruses, including those that caus ...

against desmoglein, these junctions break down, and this results in subsequent

blister A blister is a small pocket of body fluid (lymph, serum, plasma, blood, or pus) within the upper layers of the skin, usually caused by forceful rubbing (friction), burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Most blisters are filled ...

or vesicle formation.Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, editors. Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders; 2012

References

External links

* * Cadherins Single-pass transmembrane proteins Protein families {{Membrane-protein-stub