Desmoglein 4 in hair follicle differentiation and epidermal adhesion. Evidence from inherited hypotrichosis and acquired pemphigus vulgaris.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2003
First Page
249
Last Page
260
JAX Source
Cell 2003 Apr; 113(2):249-60.
Abstract
Cell adhesion and communication are interdependent aspects of cell behavior that are critical for morphogenesis and tissue architecture. In the skin, epidermal adhesion is mediated in part by specialized cell-cell junctions known as desmosomes, which are characterized by the presence of desmosomal cadherins, known as desmogleins and desmocollins. We identified a cadherin family member, desmoglein 4, which is expressed in the suprabasal epidermis and hair follicle. The essential role of desmoglein 4 in skin was established by identifying mutations in families with inherited hypotrichosis, as well as in the lanceolate hair mouse. We also show that DSG4 is an autoantigen in pemphigus vulgaris. Characterization of the phenotype of naturally occurring mutant mice revealed disruption of desmosomal adhesion and perturbations in keratinocyte behavior. We provide evidence that desmoglein 4 is a key mediator of keratinocyte cell adhesion in the hair follicle, where it coordinates the transition from proliferation to differentiation.
Recommended Citation
Kljuic A,
Bazzi H,
Sundberg JP,
Martinez MA,
O'Shaughnessy R,
Mahoney MG,
Levy M,
Montagutelli X,
Ahmad W,
Aita VM,
Fischer S,
Gilliam TC,
Jahoda CA,
Morris RJ,
Panteleyev AA,
Nguyen VT,
et a.
Desmoglein 4 in hair follicle differentiation and epidermal adhesion. Evidence from inherited hypotrichosis and acquired pemphigus vulgaris. Cell 2003 Apr; 113(2):249-60.