Desmosomes: differentiation, development, dynamics and disease.
Recent evidence on the distribution of desmosomal glycoprotein isoforms that shows their combined expression in individual desmosomes has strengthened the belief that the latter are involved in epithelial differentiation and morphogenesis. It has been shown that cellular interactions and protein kinase C can modulate the adhesive properties of desmosomes in epithelial cell sheets. Genetic studies indicate the involvement of desmosomal components in cancer and epidermal diseases.
Garrod
D
D
Epithelial Morphogenesis Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, 3.239 Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. David.Garrod@man.ac.uk
Chidgey
M
M
North
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology
D006023:Glycoproteins; D002118:Calcium