T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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A desmosome (or macula adherin) is a spot-like structure specialized for cell-to-cell adhesion. Disc-shaped structures at the surface of one cell that are matched with identical structures on the adjacent cell surface.
Cadherins (yellow) - large, transmembrane proteins that span the extracellular space between adjacent membranes
Desmoglein and desmocollin
Attachment Plaques (purple) - dense plaque on the cytoplasmic side of each cell membrane
Desmoplakin and plakoglobin - anchoring proteins that bind the cytoplasmic domains of cadherins to intermediate filaments
Keratin intermediate filaments (blue)
Cytoplasm (green)
Desmosomes are abundant on the lateral surfaces of epithelial cells that must withstand mechanical stress (e.g., skin).