DSG2

DSG2, or desmoglein-2, is a desmosomal cadherin protein encoded by the DSG2 gene in humans. It is expressed in a variety of epithelial tissues and in the heart, with particular presence in the epidermis, mucosal surfaces, and cardiomyocytes. Desmoglein-2 participates in calcium-dependent cell–cell adhesion as part of desmosomes, helping to maintain tissue integrity under mechanical stress.

In desmosomes, DSG2 forms trans interactions with other desmosomal cadherins, such as desmocollins, and connects to intracellular plaque proteins including plakoglobin and desmoplakin. This linkage to the cytoskeleton supports strong, dynamic adhesion between neighboring cells. Proper function of DSG2 and its interactions with other desmosomal components is important for tissue cohesion in both the skin and heart.

Mutations or altered expression of DSG2 have clinical relevance. DSG2 mutations have been associated with cardiomyopathies, including arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and may contribute to cardiac arrhythmias and structural heart disease. Abnormal DSG2 expression has also been observed in various cancers, where changes in adhesion can influence tumor cell detachment, invasion, and metastasis, and DSG2 may have potential as a prognostic marker in some contexts.

DSG2 is also known to serve as a receptor for certain adenoviruses, notably serotype 3, enabling viral entry into cells. This receptor function has been exploited in research and therapeutic contexts, including targeted gene delivery and oncolytic virotherapy, though it also underlines considerations for safety and tissue specificity.