Abstract 2320 Loss of Septin-9 perturbs cell-cell junction structure in epithelial cells via mislocalization of desmosomal proteins

Desmosomes are specialized adhesive junctions that link adjacent cells and provide structural integrity in tissues exposed to significant mechanical stress, such as the skin and heart. Disruption of the desmosome adhesion complex is observed in a range of different cutaneous syndromes, cancer and several types of cardiomyopathy. Determining the signaling mechanisms which control desmosome formation and structure is therefore relevant for a wide range of different pathologies. Desmosome function depends upon a tripartite organizational structure wherein transmembrane cadherins (Desmoglein and Desmocollin) link adjacent cells, plaque proteins (Plakoglobin and Plakophilin) stabilize arrays of desmosomes on the intracellular face, and a cytoskeletal linker proteins (Desmoplakin) anchors desmosomes to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton.