Desmosomes are cell–cell junctions that connect to cytoplasmic intermediate filaments and provide mechanical resilience to tissues such as the epithelium of the skin or gut. Although desmosomes are typically viewed as highly stable structures, they also need to be dynamic to allow for cell migration or tissue remodelling; however, the mechanisms underlying the loss of desmosomal adhesion are unclear. In a collaborative effort, the groups of Birgitte Lane, David Garrod and Christoph Ballestrem (Fülle et al., 2021) now use live-cell imaging to investigate the dynamics of desmosomal proteins in a culture model of desmosome internalisation. Interestingly, they observe that plakophilin 2a (Pkp2a) behaves differently from other proteins in that it exhibits a persistently dynamic exchange between desmosomal and cytoplasmic pools, even when desmosomes mature into hyper-adhesive structures. In contrast, the mobility of desmosomal cadherins (desmogleins and desmocollins), desmoplakin and plakoglobin is low and is further reduced in hyper-adhesive cells. Indeed, these desmosomes are internalised as intact moieties during cell scattering without undergoing any dissolution, further underscoring their tremendous stability. On the basis of these data, the authors propose that desmosomes consist of two contrasting modules, a highly stable one that mediates strong adhesion between the cells and a dynamic module that is able to transfer signals quickly throughout the cell.
Differential dynamics within desmosomes
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Differential dynamics within desmosomes. J Cell Sci 1 November 2021; 134 (21): e134_e2103. doi:
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