ARVD11, Cadherin family member 2, CDHF2, Desmocollin-2, Desmocollin-3, Desmosomal glycoprotein II and III, Desmosomal glycoprotein II, Desmosomal glycoprotein III, DG2, DGII/III, DSC2, DSC3
Desmosomes are intercellular adhering junctions that represent cell surface attachment sites for intermediate filament. The desmosome is subdivided into two regions. The plaque region lies adjacent to the plasma, and is believed to contain molecules that attach the intermediate filament cytoskeleton to the desmosome. The core region is composed of transmembrane glycoproteins that are thoµght to mediate cell-cell adhesion. Desmogleins and desmocollins are the main desmosomal transmembrane proteins. These desmosomal glycoproteins belong to the members of the cadherin family of adhesion molecules. Three different isoforms of both desmogleins and desmocollins have been identified, named as desmoglein 1-3 and desmocollins. Desmosomal cadherins showed differentiation-specific expression in the human epidermis, althoµgh the functional significance of this differential expression is not fully understood. Desmocollin-1 can be found in the upper layers. The expression of desmocollin-2 varies in the basal and suprabasal layers. And desmocollin-3 is expressed more evenly throµghout the suprabasal layers.
