| First Author | Chen J | Year | 2008 |
| Journal | J Cell Sci | Volume | 121 |
| Issue | Pt 17 | Pages | 2844-9 |
| PubMed ID | 18682494 | Mgi Jnum | J:140129 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3811969 | Doi | 10.1242/jcs.031518 |
| Citation | Chen J, et al. (2008) Loss of desmocollin 3 in mice leads to epidermal blistering. J Cell Sci 121(Pt 17):2844-9 |
| abstractText | Desmocollin 3 (DSC3) belongs to a subfamily of cadherins and is a major component of desmosomes in keratinocytes of stratified epithelia, such as the epidermis. Based on its amino acid sequence homology to classical cadherins, such as E-cadherin, it has been postulated that DSC3 functions as a cell-adhesion molecule. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the function of DSC3 in the development and maintenance of stratified epithelia, in particular the epidermis and hair follicles. Using a conditional null allele, we show that loss of Dsc3 function in the epidermis causes impaired cell-cell adhesion, leading to intra-epidermal blistering and telogen hair loss. Furthermore, the lesions in Dsc3-null skin resemble those observed in individuals with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), indicating that impaired Dsc3 function could be a potential cause of PV-like inherited or acquired skin blistering diseases. |
