title: Desmoglein-1, differentiation, and disease.
abstract: Desmoglein-1 (DSG1), a desmosomal protein, maintains the structure of epidermis through its adhesive function. However, heterozygous mutations in DSG1 in humans result in abnormal differentiation, as does downregulation of DSG1 in human skin organ culture, suggesting that it may have important signaling functions. In this issue of the JCI, Harmon et al. elucidate how the binding of the DSG1 cytoplasmic tail to the scaffolding protein Erbin decreases signaling through the Ras-Raf pathway to promote stratification and differentiation of keratinocytes in the epidermis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Christoph M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hammers
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D051183:Desmoglein 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C495297:DSG1 protein, human; D051183:Desmoglein 1; C413364:ERBIN protein, human