The desmosome in skin and mucous membranes

The desmosome is a critical junction for cell-to-cell adhesion in the skin and mucous membranes. The major desmosomal proteins are desmogleins, desmocollins, plakoglobin, plakophilins, and desmoplakin. Desmogleins and desmocollins are transmembrane glycoproteins of the cadherin (calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule) family. Plakoglobin and plakophilins are components of the desmosomal plaque. Desmoplakin binds to plakoglobin and links the desmosomal plaque to keratin filaments of the cytoskeleton. Envoplakin and periplakin are additional desmosomal proteins found in the desmosomal plaque.