Desmosomiyhteyksiä

Desmosomiyhteyksiä, known in English as desmosomes, are specialized protein complexes that act as intercellular junctions, primarily found in animal cells. Their main function is to provide strong mechanical adhesion between adjacent cells, contributing to the structural integrity of tissues. These junctions are particularly abundant in tissues that experience significant mechanical stress, such as the epidermis of the skin and the cardiac muscle.

Structurally, desmosomes are characterized by dense plaques located on the inner surface of each cell membrane. These plaques are composed of various proteins, including cadherins (specifically desmogleins and desmocollins) and armadillo family proteins like plakoglobin and plakophilin. These intracellular plaque proteins are linked to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton of the cell, typically keratin filaments in epithelial cells and desmin filaments in muscle cells. This connection to the cytoskeleton allows desmosomes to distribute mechanical forces across the tissue, preventing cellular tearing.

The desmogleins and desmocollins span the intercellular space between adjacent cells, where they interact homophilically or heterophilically to mediate cell-cell adhesion. This unique arrangement creates a robust connection that can withstand significant tensile strength. Desmosomes play a crucial role in maintaining tissue architecture and function, and their disruption is implicated in various diseases, including certain skin blistering disorders and cardiac arrhythmias.