Desmoglein Explained

Symbol:	DSG
Desmoglein
Interpro:	IPR009123
Membranome Family:	243

The desmogleins are a family of desmosomal cadherins consisting of proteins DSG1, DSG2, DSG3, and DSG4. They play a role in the formation of desmosomes that join cells to one another.

Pathology

Desmogleins are targeted in the autoimmune disease pemphigus.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Desmoglein proteins are a type of cadherin, which is a transmembrane protein that binds with other cadherins to form junctions known as desmosomes between cells. These desmoglein proteins thus hold cells together, but, when the body starts producing antibodies against desmoglein, these junctions break down, and this results in subsequent blister or vesicle formation.^{[4] [5]}

Notes and References

1. Waschke J, Bruggeman P, Baumgartner W, Zillikens D, Drenckhahn D . Pemphigus foliaceus IgG causes dissociation of desmoglein 1–containing junctions without blocking desmoglein 1 transinteraction . J. Clin. Invest. . 115 . 11 . 3157–65 . November 2005 . 16211092 . 1242188 . 10.1172/JCI23475.
2. Kljuic A, Bazzi H, Sundberg JP, etal . Desmoglein 4 in hair follicle differentiation and epidermal adhesion: evidence from inherited hypotrichosis and acquired pemphigus vulgaris . Cell . 113 . 2 . 249–60 . April 2003 . 12705872 . 10.1016/S0092-8674(03)00273-3. free .
3. Müller R, Heber B, Hashimoto T, etal . Autoantibodies against desmocollins in European patients with pemphigus . Clin. Exp. Dermatol. . 34 . 8 . 898–903 . May 2009 . 19456767 . 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03241.x . 774308 .
4. A Clinician's Guide to Pemphigus Vulgarishttp://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319677583
5. Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, editors. Dermatology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: ElsevierSaunders; 2012