desmosomescell

Desmosomes are specialized adhesive protein complexes found in animal cells. They are a type of cell junction that helps to strongly anchor cells to each other, forming a resilient tissue. Desmosomes are particularly abundant in tissues that experience significant mechanical stress, such as the epidermis of the skin, the heart muscle, and the cervix.

The primary function of desmosomes is to provide mechanical strength and stability to tissues. They act like rivets, connecting the intermediate filament cytoskeletons of adjacent cells. This direct connection between cytoskeletons is crucial for maintaining tissue integrity when subjected to stretching or shearing forces.

Structurally, desmosomes are characterized by a dense extracellular space containing cadherin-like proteins, specifically desmogleins and desmocollins. These transmembrane proteins extend from the plasma membranes of neighboring cells and bind to each other in the intercellular space. Inside the cell, the cytoplasmic domains of these proteins are linked to intermediate filaments, such as keratin or vimentin, via a plaque of intracellular anchor proteins like plakoglobin and plakophilin. This organized arrangement ensures a robust and stable connection between cells.

Disruptions in desmosome function are implicated in various diseases. For example, mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins can lead to inherited skin blistering disorders like epidermolysis bullosa, or to heart conditions such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Their critical role in maintaining tissue integrity underscores their importance in cellular biology and health.