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Maruthappu T, Posafalvi A, Castelletti S, Delaney PJ, Syrris P, O'Toole EA, Green KJ, Elliott PM, Lambiase PD, Tinker A, McKenna WJ, Kelsell DP. Loss-of-function desmoplakin I and II mutations underlie dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy with a hair and skin phenotype. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180:1114-1122. [PMID: 30382575 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.17388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is an inherited, frequently underdiagnosed disorder, which can predispose individuals to sudden cardiac death. Rare, recessive forms of AC can be associated with woolly hair and palmoplantar keratoderma, but most autosomal dominant AC forms have been reported to be cardiac specific. Causative mutations frequently occur in desmosomal genes including desmoplakin (DSP). OBJECTIVES In this study, we systematically investigated the presence of a skin and hair phenotype in heterozygous DSP mutation carriers with AC. METHODS Six AC pedigrees with 38 carriers of a dominant loss-of-function (nonsense or frameshift) mutation in DSP were evaluated by detailed clinical examination (cardiac, hair and skin) and molecular phenotyping. RESULTS All carriers with mutations affecting both major DSP isoforms (DSPI and II) were observed to have curly or wavy hair in the pedigrees examined, except for members of Family 6, where the position of the mutation only affected the cardiac-specific isoform DSPI. A mild palmoplantar keratoderma was also present in many carriers. Sanger sequencing of cDNA from nonlesional carrier skin suggested degradation of the mutant allele. Immunohistochemistry of patient skin demonstrated mislocalization of DSP and other junctional proteins (plakoglobin, connexin 43) in the basal epidermis. However, in Family 6, DSP localization was comparable with control skin. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies a highly recognizable cutaneous phenotype associated with dominant loss-of-function DSPI/II mutations underlying AC. Increased awareness of this phenotype among healthcare workers could facilitate a timely diagnosis of AC in the absence of overt cardiac features.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Maruthappu
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| | - A Posafalvi
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| | - S Castelletti
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin, Milan, Italy
| | - P J Delaney
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| | - P Syrris
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, U.K
| | - E A O'Toole
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| | - K J Green
- Department of Pathology and Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, U.S.A
| | - P M Elliott
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, The Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, U.K
| | - P D Lambiase
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, U.K.,Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, The Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, U.K
| | - A Tinker
- The Heart Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| | - W J McKenna
- Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, The Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, U.K
| | - D P Kelsell
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
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Castelletti S, Maruthappu T, Posafalvi A, Syrris P, O'Toole EA, Green KJ, Tinker A, McKenna WJ, Kelsell DP. P5709Hair and cutaneous phenotypes linked to Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy caused by Desmoplakin haploinsufficiency: an additional disease marker. Eur Heart J 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy566.p5709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - T Maruthappu
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Posafalvi
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Syrris
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - E A O'Toole
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - K J Green
- Northwestern University, Chicago, United States of America
| | - A Tinker
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - W J McKenna
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - D P Kelsell
- Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Vodo D, O'Toole EA, Malchin N, Lahav A, Adir N, Sarig O, Green KJ, Smith FJD, Sprecher E. Striate palmoplantar keratoderma resulting from a missense mutation in DSG1. Br J Dermatol 2018; 179:755-757. [PMID: 29315490 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.16320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D Vodo
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E A O'Toole
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, The Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K
| | - N Malchin
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Lahav
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - N Adir
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - O Sarig
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - K J Green
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, U.S.A
| | - F J D Smith
- Pachyonychia Congenita Project, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, U.K
| | - E Sprecher
- Department of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Moy I, Todorović V, Dubash AD, Coon JS, Parker JB, Buranapramest M, Huang CC, Zhao H, Green KJ, Bulun SE. Estrogen-dependent sushi domain containing 3 regulates cytoskeleton organization and migration in breast cancer cells. Oncogene 2015; 34:323-33. [PMID: 24413080 PMCID: PMC4096609 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Revised: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the standard endocrine therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer; however, currently used biomarkers, such as, estrogen receptor-alpha/progesterone receptor (ERα/PR), predict only slightly more than half of the potential responders to AI treatment. To identify novel markers of AI responsiveness, a genome-wide microarray analysis was performed using primary breast tumor samples from 50 postmenopausal women who later developed metastatic breast cancer. Sushi domain containing 3 (SUSD3) is a significantly differentially expressed gene, with 3.38-fold higher mRNA levels in AI-responsive breast tumors vs non-responders (P<0.001). SUSD3 was highly expressed in ERα-positive breast tumors and treatment with estradiol increased SUSD3 expression in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. Treatment with an antiestrogen or ERα knockdown abolished basal and estradiol-dependent SUSD3 expression. Recruitment of ERα upstream of the transcription start site of SUSD3 was demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR. Flow cytometric analysis of SUSD3-knockdown cells revealed blunted estradiol effects on progression into S and M phases. SUSD3 was localized to the plasma membrane of breast cancer cells. SUSD3 knockdown decreased the appearance of actin-rich protrusions, stress fibers and large basal focal adhesions, while increasing the presence of cortical actin concomitant with a decrease in Rho and focal adhesion kinase activity. SUSD3-deficient cells demonstrated diminished cell spreading, cell-cell adhesion and motility. In conclusion, SUSD3 is a novel promoter of estrogen-dependent cell proliferation and regulator of cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions and migration in breast cancer. It may serve as a novel predictor of response to endocrine therapy and potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Moy
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - V Todorović
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - A D Dubash
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J S Coon
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J B Parker
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M Buranapramest
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - C C Huang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - H Zhao
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - S E Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Tynan FE, Elhassen D, Purcell AW, Burrows JM, Borg NA, Miles JJ, Williamson NA, Green KJ, Tellam J, Kjer-Nielsen L, McCluskey J, Rossjohn J, Burrows SR. The immunogenicity of a viral cytotoxic T cell epitope is controlled by its MHC-bound conformation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 202:1249-60. [PMID: 16275762 PMCID: PMC2213230 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20050864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Thousands of potentially antigenic peptides are encoded by an infecting pathogen; however, only a small proportion induce measurable CD8(+) T cell responses. To investigate the factors that control peptide immunogenicity, we have examined the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to a previously undefined epitope ((77)APQPAPENAY(86)) from the BZLF1 protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This peptide binds well to two human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) allotypes, HLA-B*3501 and HLA-B*3508, which differ by a single amino acid at position 156 ((156)Leucine vs. (156)Arginine, respectively). Surprisingly, only individuals expressing HLA-B*3508 show evidence of a CTL response to the (77)APQPAPENAY(86) epitope even though EBV-infected cells expressing HLA-B*3501 process and present similar amounts of peptide for CTL recognition, suggesting that factors other than peptide presentation levels are influencing immunogenicity. Functional and structural analysis revealed marked conformational differences in the peptide, when bound to each HLA-B35 allotype, that are dictated by the polymorphic HLA residue 156 and that directly affected T cell receptor recognition. These data indicate that the immunogenicity of an antigenic peptide is influenced not only by how well the peptide binds to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules but also by its bound conformation. It also illustrates a novel mechanism through which MHC polymorphism can further diversify the immune response to infecting pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur E Tynan
- The Protein Crystallography Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Green KJ, Miles JJ, Tellam J, van Zuylen WJM, Connolly G, Burrows SR. Potent T cell response to a class I-binding 13-mer viral epitope and the influence of HLA micropolymorphism in controlling epitope length. Eur J Immunol 2004; 34:2510-9. [PMID: 15307183 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200425193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The BZLF1 antigen of Epstein-Barr virus includes three overlapping sequences of different lengths that conform to the binding motif of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B*3501. These 9-mer (56LPQGQLTAY64), 11-mer (54EPLPQGQLTAY64), and 13-mer (52LPEPLPQGQLTAY64) peptides all bound well to B*3501; however, the CTL response in individuals expressing this HLA allele was directed strongly and exclusively towards the 11-mer peptide. In contrast, EBV-exposed donors expressing HLA B*3503 showed no significant CTL response to these peptides because the single amino acid difference between B*3501 and B*3503 within the F pocket inhibited HLA binding by these peptides. The extraordinarily long 13-mer peptide was the target for the CTL response in individuals expressing B*3508, which differs from B*3501 at a single position within the D pocket (B*3501, 156Leucine; B*3508, 156Arginine). This minor difference was shown to enhance binding of the 13-mer peptide, presumably through a stabilizing interaction between the negatively charged glutamate at position 3 of the peptide and the positively charged arginine at HLA position 156. The 13-mer epitope defined in this study represents the longest class I-binding viral epitope identified to date as a minimal determinant. Furthermore, the potency of the response indicates that peptides of this length do not present a major structural barrier to CTL recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate J Green
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
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Abstract
Via their integration of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton into the cell membrane, desmosomes facilitate the maintenance of cell shape and tissue integrity as well as intercellular communication. The transmembrane components of the desmosome, the desmogleins and desmocollins, are members of the cadherin family of cell-cell adhesion molecules. Each of these proteins exists as three distinct isoforms, which are the products of individual genes and expressed in a cell-type and differentiation-specific manner. Previous work has suggested that desmoglein 1 binds to its catenin partner, plakoglobin, in an approximately 6:1 stoichiometry. In this study, the molecular organization of complexes formed by plakoglobin and desmoglein 1, 2, or 3 are further examined through immunoprecipitation, size exclusion chromatography and sucrose density sedimentation analysis. It is shown that the complex formed between plakoglobin and desmoglein 1 has an overall molecular weight greater than that of plakoglobin/desmoglein 2 or plakoglobin/desmoglein 3; however, the stoichiometry of the plakoglobin/desmoglein 1 complex does not appear to exceed 2:1.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Bannon
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Leung
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
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9
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Abstract
Three desmoglein isoforms collaborate with desmocollins to build the adhesive core of desmosomes. A recent study has shown that altering the ratio of desmoglein isoforms influences epidermal barrier function, suggesting distinct roles for these cadherins that extend beyond adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ishii
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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10
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Gaudry CA, Palka HL, Dusek RL, Huen AC, Khandekar MJ, Hudson LG, Green KJ. Tyrosine-phosphorylated plakoglobin is associated with desmogleins but not desmoplakin after epidermal growth factor receptor activation. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:24871-80. [PMID: 11335725 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m102731200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyrosine phosphorylation of junctional components has been proposed as a mechanism for modulating cell-cell adhesion. Although a correlation exists between the tyrosine phosphorylation of the adherens junction protein beta-catenin and loss of classical cadherin-mediated adhesion, the effects of tyrosine phosphorylation on the function of the adherens junction and desmosome-associated protein plakoglobin is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase activation on the subcellular distribution of plakoglobin and its association with its junctional binding partners. Long term epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment of A431 cells revealed a modest decrease in the cytoskeleton-associated pool of plakoglobin (Pg) and a corresponding increase in the cytosolic pool of Pg. After short term EGF treatment, plakoglobin was rapidly phosphorylated, and tyrosine-phosphorylated Pg was distributed predominantly in a membrane-associated Triton X-100-soluble pool, along with a co-precipitating high molecular weight tyrosine-phosphorylated protein identified as desmoglein 2. Analysis of deletion and point mutants defined the primary EGFR-dependent targets as one or more of three C-terminal tyrosine residues. Whereas phosphorylated Pg remained associated with the desmoglein tail after both short and long term EGFR activation, no phosphorylated Pg was found associated with the N-terminal Pg-binding domain (DPNTP) of the intermediate filament-associated protein, desmoplakin. Together these results are consistent with the possibility that EGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of Pg may modulate cell-cell adhesion by compromising the link between desmosomal cadherins and the intermediate filament cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Gaudry
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, 303 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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11
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Abstract
Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions that exhibit cell- and differentiation-specific differences in their molecular composition. In complex epithelia, desmosomes contain multiple representatives of the desmosomal cadherin family, which includes three desmogleins and three desmocollins. Rules governing the assembly of desmosomal cadherin isoforms into desmosomes of different cell types are unknown. Here we compared the assembly properties of desmoglein 2 (Dsg2) and desmocollin 2 (Dsc2), which are widely expressed, with Dsg1 and Dsc1, which are expressed in the differentiated layers of complex epithelia, by introducing myc-tagged forms into simple and squamous epithelial cells that do not express Dsg1 or Dsc1. Dsc2.myc and Dsg2.myc assembled efficiently into desmosomes in every cell type in spite of significant shifts in the stoichiometric relationship between desmogleins and desmocollins. In contrast, Dsc1a.myc, Dsc1b.myc, and Dsg1.myc did not stably incorporate into desmosomes in any line. Coexpression of Dsc1a.myc or Dsc1b.myc and Dsg1.myc did not lead to their colocalization and failed to enhance incorporation of either cadherin into desmosomes. Dsg1.myc, but not Dsc1a, Dsc1b, disrupted desmosome assembly in a cell-type-specific manner, and disruption correlated with the recruitment of Dsg1.myc, but not Dsc1a or Dsc1b, into a Triton-insoluble pool. The plakoglobin:E-cadherin ratio decreased in Dsg1-expressing cells with disrupted desmosomes, but a decrease was also observed in a Dsc1a line. Thus, a modest reduction of plakoglobin associated with E-cadherin is apparently not sufficient to disrupt desmosome assembly. Our results demonstrate that desmosome assembly tolerates large shifts in cadherin stoichiometry, but is sensitive to isoform-specific differences exhibited by desmogleins and desmocollins.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ishii
- Departments of Pathology, Dermatology, and the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Bannon
- Department of Pathology and Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Byun Y, Chen F, Chang R, Trivedi M, Green KJ, Cryns VL. Caspase cleavage of vimentin disrupts intermediate filaments and promotes apoptosis. Cell Death Differ 2001; 8:443-50. [PMID: 11423904 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4400840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2000] [Revised: 11/30/2000] [Accepted: 12/19/2000] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Caspases are key mediators of apoptosis. Using a novel expression cloning strategy we recently developed to identify cDNAs encoding caspase substrates, we isolated the intermediate filament protein vimentin as a caspase substrate. Vimentin is preferentially cleaved by multiple caspases at distinct sites in vitro, including Asp85 by caspases-3 and -7 and Asp259 by caspase-6, to yield multiple proteolytic fragments. Vimentin is rapidly proteolyzed by multiple caspases into similar sized fragments during apoptosis induced by many stimuli. Caspase cleavage of vimentin disrupts its cytoplasmic network of intermediate filaments and coincides temporally with nuclear fragmentation. Moreover, caspase proteolysis of vimentin at Asp85 generates a pro-apoptotic amino-terminal fragment whose ability to induce apoptosis is dependent on caspases. Taken together, our findings suggest that caspase proteolysis of vimentin promotes apoptosis by dismantling intermediate filaments and by amplifying the cell death signal via a pro-apoptotic cleavage product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Byun
- Center for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Bornslaeger EA, Godsel LM, Corcoran CM, Park JK, Hatzfeld M, Kowalczyk AP, Green KJ. Plakophilin 1 interferes with plakoglobin binding to desmoplakin, yet together with plakoglobin promotes clustering of desmosomal plaque complexes at cell-cell borders. J Cell Sci 2001; 114:727-38. [PMID: 11171378 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.114.4.727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are adhesive junctions that link intermediate filament networks to sites of strong intercellular adhesion. These junctions play an important role in providing strength to tissues that experience mechanical stress such as heart and epidermis. The basic structural elements of desmosomes are similar to those of the better-characterized adherens junctions, which anchor actin-containing microfilaments to cadherins at the plasma membrane. This linkage of actin to classic cadherins is thought to occur through an indirect mechanism requiring the associated proteins, alpha- and beta-catenin. In the case of desmosomes, both linear and lateral interactions have been proposed as playing an important role in formation of the plaque and linkage to the cytoskeleton. However, the precise nature of these interactions and how they cooperate in desmosome assembly are poorly understood. Here we employ a reconstitution system to examine the assembly of macromolecular complexes from components found in desmosomes of the differentiated layers of complex tissues. We demonstrate the existence of a Triton-soluble complex of proteins containing full length desmoplakin (DP), the arm protein plakoglobin, and the cytoplasmic domain of the desmosomal cadherin, desmoglein 1 (Dsg1). In addition, full length DP, but not an N-terminal plakoglobin binding domain of DP, co-immunoprecipitated with the Dsg1 tail in the absence of plakoglobin in HT1080 cells. The relative roles of the arm proteins plakoglobin and plakophilin 1 (PKP1) were also investigated. Our results suggest that, in the Triton soluble pool, PKP1 interferes with binding of plakoglobin to full length DP when these proteins are co-expressed. Nevertheless, both plakoglobin and PKP1 are required for the formation of clustered structures containing DP and the Dsg1 tail that ultrastructurally appear similar to desmosomal plaques found in the epidermis. These findings suggest that more than one armadillo family member is required for normal assembly and clustering of the desmosomal plaque in the upper layers of the epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Bornslaeger
- Department of Pathology, Dermatology and the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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15
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Abstract
Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions that anchor intermediate filaments at membrane-associated plaques in adjoining cells, thereby forming a three-dimensional supracellular scaffolding that provides tissues with mechanical strength. But desmosomes have also recently been recognized as sensors that respond to environmental and cellular cues by modulating their assembly state and, possibly, their signalling functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology and the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
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16
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Abstract
PURPOSE In recent years, health professionals have placed increased attention on the benefits of physical activity for maintaining health in the general population as well as regaining health in many disease states. Conversely, reports of apparent decreases in immune cell function after acute exercise are widespread in the literature. The purpose of this article is to evaluate critically the available data and currently employed methods, with the aim of establishing whether genuine or artefactual alterations of immune function are being reported. During and immediately after exercise, the total number of white blood cells in peripheral blood samples increases, such that the relative proportions of cell types within the leukocyte pool are altered. A number of important areas of discussion arise from these shifts in the number of circulating cells after exercise, not least of which is the artefactual effects they may have on currently employed assays of immune cell function. Recent advances in methodology are beginning to call into question the assumption that acute exercise has any genuine immunosuppressive effect. CONCLUSION At present, there is little evidence to suggest that the range of acute exercise intensities and durations recommended by ACSM has a major detrimental effect on the function of individual T- and B-lymphocytes, natural killer cells and neutrophils. Although individual cells may not be as adversely affected as previously supposed, it is unclear whether the numerical content of the circulating population is an important clinical consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Rowbottom
- School of Human Movement Studies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
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17
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Green KJ, Guy SG, Cserhalmi-Friedman PB, McLean WH, Christiano AM, Wagner RM. Analysis of the desmoplakin gene reveals striking conservation with other members of the plakin family of cytolinkers. Exp Dermatol 1999; 8:462-70. [PMID: 10597135 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.1999.tb00304.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Members of the plakin family of cytolinker proteins integrate filaments into cellular networks and anchor these networks to the plasma membrane. Their importance is supported by the existence of cell and tissue fragility disorders caused by mutations in certain family members. In this study, the human gene encoding desmoplakin (DSP) was characterized and its structure compared with the related family members: plectin, bullous pemphigoid antigen 1 (BPAG1), envoplakin (EVPL) and periplakin (PPL). Sequence analysis of genomic clones was carried out in combination with a PCR-based strategy to define intron-exon borders. DSP was mapped using the GB4 radiation hybrid mapping panel to the interval between markers D6S296 and AFM043 x f2, corresponding to cytogenetic band 6p24. In addition, the murine gene (Dsp) was mapped to mouse chromosome 13 by interspecific backcross mapping. DSP encompasses approximately 45 kb organized into 24 exons and 23 introns, and the pattern of intron-exon borders bears a striking resemblance to other members of the plakin family. Notable features include the fact that a single large exon encodes the entire C-terminus of each gene. In contrast, the N-termini comprise numerous smaller exons with conservation of many intron-exon borders. Detailed characterization and mapping of these genes will facilitate their further evaluation as targets of genetic disorders and provide insights into the evolutionary relationships among molecules in this emerging gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Department of Pathology, R. H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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North AJ, Bardsley WG, Hyam J, Bornslaeger EA, Cordingley HC, Trinnaman B, Hatzfeld M, Green KJ, Magee AI, Garrod DR. Molecular map of the desmosomal plaque. J Cell Sci 1999; 112 ( Pt 23):4325-36. [PMID: 10564650 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.112.23.4325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent biochemical and molecular approaches have begun to establish the protein interactions that lead to desmosome assembly. To determine whether these associations occur in native desmosomes we have performed ultrastructural localisation of specific domains of the major desmosomal components and have used the results to construct a molecular map of the desmosomal plaque. Antibodies directed against the amino- and carboxy-terminal domains of desmoplakin, plakoglobin and plakophilin 1, and against the carboxy-terminal domains of desmoglein 3, desmocollin 2a and desmocollin 2b, were used for immunogold labelling of ultrathin cryosections of bovine nasal epidermis. For each antibody, the mean distance of the gold particles, and thus the detected epitope, from the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane was determined quantitatively. Results showed that: (i) plakophilin, although previously shown to bind intermediate filaments in vitro, is localised extremely close to the plasma membrane, rather than in the region where intermediate filaments are seen to insert into the desmosomal plaque; (ii) while the ‘a’ form of desmocollin overlaps with plakoglobin and desmoplakin, the shorter ‘b’ form may be spatially separated from them; (iii) desmoglein 3 extends across the entire outer plaque, beyond both desmocollins; (iv) the amino terminus of desmoplakin lies within the outer dense plaque and the carboxy terminus some 40 nm distant in the zone of intermediate filament attachment. This is consistent with a parallel arrangement of desmoplakin in dimers or higher order aggregates and with the predicted length of desmoplakin II, indicating that desmoplakin I may be folded or coiled. Thus several predictions from previous work were borne out by this study, but in other cases our observations yielded unexpected results. These results have significant implications relating to molecular interactions in desmosomes and emphasise the importance of applying multiple and complementary approaches to biological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J North
- University of Manchester, School of Biological Sciences, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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19
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Kowalczyk AP, Hatzfeld M, Bornslaeger EA, Kopp DS, Borgwardt JE, Corcoran CM, Settler A, Green KJ. The head domain of plakophilin-1 binds to desmoplakin and enhances its recruitment to desmosomes. Implications for cutaneous disease. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:18145-8. [PMID: 10373410 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.26.18145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The contribution of desmosomes to epidermal integrity is evident in the inherited blistering disorder associated with the absence of a functional gene for plakophilin-1. To define the function of plakophilin-1 in desmosome assembly, interactions among the desmosomal cadherins, desmoplakin, and the armadillo family members plakoglobin and plakophilin-1 were examined. In transient expression assays, plakophilin-1 formed complexes with a desmoplakin amino-terminal domain and enhanced its recruitment to cell-cell borders; this recruitment was not dependent on the equimolar expression of desmosomal cadherins. In contrast to desmoplakin-plakoglobin interactions, the interaction between desmoplakin and plakophilin-1 was not mediated by the armadillo repeat domain of plakophilin-1 but by the non-armadillo head domain, as assessed by yeast two-hybrid and recruitment assays. We propose a model whereby plakoglobin serves as a linker between the cadherins and desmoplakin, whereas plakophilin-1 enhances lateral interactions between desmoplakin molecules. This model suggests that epidermal lesions in patients lacking plakophilin-1 are a consequence of the loss of integrity resulting from a decrease in binding sites for desmoplakin and intermediate filaments at desmosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Department of Dermatology and the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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20
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Armstrong DK, McKenna KE, Purkis PE, Green KJ, Eady RA, Leigh IM, Hughes AE. Haploinsufficiency of desmoplakin causes a striate subtype of palmoplantar keratoderma. Hum Mol Genet 1999; 8:143-8. [PMID: 9887343 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/8.1.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are highly organized intercellular adhesive junctions that are particularly prominent in epidermis and other tissues experiencing mechanical stress. Desmoplakin, a constitutive component of the desmosomal plaque, is the most abundant protein present in such junctions and plays a critical role in linking the intermediate filament network to the plasma membrane in these tissues. Here we report the first mutation in the gene encoding desmoplakin. The identified mutation, resulting in a null allele and haploinsufficiency, was observed in genomic DNA from a kindred with the dominantly inherited skin disorder, striate palmoplantar keratoderma. Affected individuals had a linear pattern of skin thickening on the fingers and palms and circumscribed areas of skin thickening on the soles. Affected skin demonstrated loosening of intercellular connections, disruption of desmosome-keratin intermediate filament interactions and a proportion of rudimentary desmosomal structures. The disorder mapped to chromosome 6p21 with a maximum lod score of 10.67. The mutation was a heterozygous C-->T transition in exon 4 of the desmoplakin gene and predicted a premature termination codon in the N-terminal region of the peptide. This is the first reported mutation of desmo-plakin and also the first inherited skin disorder in which haploinsufficiency of a structural component has been implicated. It identifies dosage of desmoplakin as critical in maintaining epidermal integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Armstrong
- Department of Medical Genetics, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast BT9 7AB, UK
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21
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Kiyokawa C, Ruhrberg C, Nie Z, Karashima T, Mori O, Nishikawa T, Green KJ, Anhalt GJ, DiColandrea T, Watt FM, Hashimoto T. Envoplakin and periplakin are components of the paraneoplastic pemphigus antigen complex. J Invest Dermatol 1998; 111:1236-8. [PMID: 9856851 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.1998.00449.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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22
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Kowalczyk AP, Navarro P, Dejana E, Bornslaeger EA, Green KJ, Kopp DS, Borgwardt JE. VE-cadherin and desmoplakin are assembled into dermal microvascular endothelial intercellular junctions: a pivotal role for plakoglobin in the recruitment of desmoplakin to intercellular junctions. J Cell Sci 1998; 111 ( Pt 20):3045-57. [PMID: 9739078 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.111.20.3045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells assemble adhesive intercellular junctions comprising a unique cadherin, VE-cadherin, which is coupled to the actin cytoskeleton through cytoplasmic interactions with plakoglobin, beta-catenin and alpha -catenin. However, the potential linkage between VE-cadherin and the vimentin intermediate filament cytoskeleton is not well characterized. Recent evidence indicates that lymphatic and vascular endothelial cells express desmoplakin, a cytoplasmic desmosomal protein that attaches intermediate filaments to the plasma membrane in epithelial cells. In the present study, desmoplakin was localized to intercellular junctions in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. To determine if VE-cadherin could associate with desmoplakin, VE-cadherin, plakoglobin, and a desmoplakin amino-terminal polypeptide (DP-NTP) were co-expressed in L-cell fibroblasts. In the presence of VE-cadherin, both plakoglobin and DP-NTP were recruited to cell-cell borders. Interestingly, beta-catenin could not substitute for plakoglobin in the recruitment of DP-NTP to cell borders, and DP-NTP bound to plakoglobin but not beta-catenin in the yeast two-hybrid system. In addition, DP-NTP colocalized at cell-cell borders with alpha-catenin in the L-cell lines, and endogenous desmoplakin and alpha-catenin colocalized in cultured dermal microvascular endothelial cells. This is in striking contrast to epithelial cells, where desmoplakin and alpha -+catenin are restricted to desmosomes and adherens junctions, respectively. These results suggest that endothelial cells assemble unique junctional complexes that couple VE-cadherin to both the actin and intermediate filament cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Departments of Dermatology, Pathology, and The Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA.
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23
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Kowalczyk AP, Bornslaeger EA, Norvell SM, Palka HL, Green KJ. Desmosomes: intercellular adhesive junctions specialized for attachment of intermediate filaments. Int Rev Cytol 1998; 185:237-302. [PMID: 9750269 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(08)60153-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell adhesion is thought to play important roles in development, in tissue morphogenesis, and in the regulation of cell migration and proliferation. Desmosomes are adhesive intercellular junctions that anchor the intermediate filament network to the plasma membrane. By functioning both as an adhesive complex and as a cell-surface attachment site for intermediate filaments, desmosomes integrate the intermediate filament cytoskeleton between cells and play an important role in maintaining tissue integrity. Recent observations indicate that tissue integrity is severely compromised in autoimmune and genetic diseases in which the function of desmosomal molecules is impaired. In addition, the structure and function of many of the desmosomal molecules have been determined, and a number of the molecular interactions between desmosomal proteins have now been elucidated. Finally, the molecular constituents of desmosomes and other adhesive complexes are now known to function not only in cell adhesion, but also in the transduction of intracellular signals that regulate cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Department of Pathology, R.H. Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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24
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Meng JJ, Bornslaeger E, Green KJ, Ip W. Protein-protein interactions in intermediate filament structure and anchorage to the cell surface. Biol Bull 1998; 194:378-380. [PMID: 11536882 DOI: 10.2307/1543118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J J Meng
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA
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25
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Green KJ, Kowalczyk AP, Bornslaeger EA, Palka HL, Norvell SM. Desmosomes: integrators of mechanical integrity in tissues. Biol Bull 1998; 194:374-377. [PMID: 9664667 DOI: 10.2307/1543117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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26
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Norvell SM, Green KJ. Contributions of extracellular and intracellular domains of full length and chimeric cadherin molecules to junction assembly in epithelial cells. J Cell Sci 1998; 111 ( Pt 9):1305-18. [PMID: 9547311 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.111.9.1305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The integrity of cell-cell junctions in epithelial cells depends on functional interactions of both extracellular and intracellular domains of cadherins with other junction proteins. To examine the roles of the different domains of E-cadherin and desmoglein in epithelial junctions, we stably expressed full length desmoglein 1 and chimeras of E-cadherin and desmoglein 1 in A431 epithelial cells. Full length desmoglein 1 was able to incorporate into or disrupt endogenous desmosomes depending on expression level. Each of the chimeric cadherin molecules exhibited distinct localization patterns at the cell surface. A chimera of the desmoglein 1 extracellular domain and the E-cadherin intracellular domain was distributed diffusely at the cell surface while the reverse chimera, comprising the E-cadherin extracellular domain and the desmoglein 1 intracellular domain, localized in large, sometimes contiguous patches at cell-cell interfaces. Nevertheless, both constructs disrupted desmosome assembly. Expression of constructs containing the desmoglein 1 cytoplasmic domain resulted in approximately a 3-fold decrease in E-cadherin bound to plakoglobin and a 5- to 10-fold reduction in the steady-state levels of the endogenous desmosomal cadherins, desmoglein 2 and desmocollin 2, possibly contributing to the dominant negative effect of the desmoglein 1 tail. In addition, biochemical analysis of protein complexes in the stable lines revealed novel in vivo protein interactions. Complexes containing beta-catenin and desmoglein 1 were identified in cells expressing constructs containing the desmoglein 1 tail. Furthermore, interactions were identified between endogenous E-cadherin and the chimera containing the E-cadherin extracellular domain and the desmoglein 1 intracellular domain providing in vivo evidence for previously predicted lateral interactions of E-cadherin extracellular domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Norvell
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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27
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Denning MF, Guy SG, Ellerbroek SM, Norvell SM, Kowalczyk AP, Green KJ. The expression of desmoglein isoforms in cultured human keratinocytes is regulated by calcium, serum, and protein kinase C. Exp Cell Res 1998; 239:50-9. [PMID: 9511724 DOI: 10.1006/excr.1997.3890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Three desmoglein (Dsg) isoforms are expressed in a differentiation-specific fashion in the epidermis, with Dsg2 being basal, Dsg3 (pemphigus vulgaris antigen) basal and spinous, and Dsg1 (pemphigus foliaceus antigen) predominantly granular. To better understand the mechanism(s) regulating Dsg isoform expression, we examined the expression pattern of Dsg1, Dsg2, and Dsg3 in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), the immortalized, nontumorigenic HaCaT cell line, and several squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SCC-9, SCC-12F, SCC-13, and SCC-25). In all cells, the accumulation of high Dsg protein levels required calcium and was not observed in low calcium (0.05-0.07 mM) media. NHEKs expressed Dsg1 in all media tested, consistent with their normal differentiation capacity. HaCaT and SCC-25 also expressed Dsg1; however, the presence of serum in the media dramatically decreased Dsg1 protein levels. Serum also inhibited Dsg1 mRNA levels in HaCaT cells. Dsg1 was not detected in extracts from SCC-9, SCC-12F, and SCC-13 under any conditions. Since activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in keratinocyte differentiation, we evaluated the effects of PKC down-regulation on Dsg isoform expression. Long-term treatment with either the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or bryostatin 1 inhibited levels of Dsg1 and Dsg3, but not Dsg2 in NHEKs and HaCaT cells. Chronic TPA also decreased Dsg1 and Dsg3 mRNA levels in NHEKs, further supporting a role for PKC activation in the expression of the suprabasal Dsg1 and Dsg3. These results identify several regulatory mechanisms by which the differentiation-specific pattern of desmosomal cadherins is established in the epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Denning
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3008, USA
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28
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Kowalczyk AP, Bornslaeger EA, Borgwardt JE, Palka HL, Dhaliwal AS, Corcoran CM, Denning MF, Green KJ. The amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin binds to plakoglobin and clusters desmosomal cadherin-plakoglobin complexes. J Cell Biol 1997; 139:773-84. [PMID: 9348293 PMCID: PMC2141713 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.139.3.773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 192] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/1997] [Revised: 08/08/1997] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The desmosome is a highly organized plasma membrane domain that couples intermediate filaments to the plasma membrane at regions of cell-cell adhesion. Desmosomes contain two classes of cadherins, desmogleins, and desmocollins, that bind to the cytoplasmic protein plakoglobin. Desmoplakin is a desmosomal component that plays a critical role in linking intermediate filament networks to the desmosomal plaque, and the amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin targets desmoplakin to the desmosome. However, the desmosomal protein(s) that bind the amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin have not been identified. To determine if the desmosomal cadherins and plakoglobin interact with the amino-terminal domain of desmoplakin, these proteins were co-expressed in L-cell fibroblasts, cells that do not normally express desmosomal components. When expressed in L-cells, the desmosomal cadherins and plakoglobin exhibited a diffuse distribution. However, in the presence of an amino-terminal desmoplakin polypeptide (DP-NTP), the desmosomal cadherins and plakoglobin were observed in punctate clusters that also contained DP-NTP. In addition, plakoglobin and DP-NTP were recruited to cell-cell interfaces in L-cells co-expressing a chimeric cadherin with the E-cadherin extracellular domain and the desmoglein-1 cytoplasmic domain, and these cells formed structures that were ultrastructurally similar to the outer plaque of the desmosome. In transient expression experiments in COS cells, the recruitment of DP-NTP to cell borders by the chimera required co-expression of plakoglobin. Plakoglobin and DP-NTP co-immunoprecipitated when extracted from L-cells, and yeast two hybrid analysis indicated that DP-NTP binds directly to plakoglobin but not Dsg1. These results identify a role for desmoplakin in organizing the desmosomal cadherin-plakoglobin complex and provide new insights into the hierarchy of protein interactions that occur in the desmosomal plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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29
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Abstract
Plakoglobin, a member of the armadillo family of proteins, is a component of intercellular adhesive junctions. The central domain of plakoglobin comprises a highly conserved series of armadillo repeats that facilitate its association with either desmosomal or classic cadherins, or with cytosolic proteins such as the tumor suppressor gene product adenomatous polyposis coli. Sequences in the N- and C-terminal domains of plakoglobin are less highly conserved, and their possible roles in regulating plakoglobin's subcellular distribution and junction assembly are still unclear. Here we have examined the role of plakoglobin end domains by stably expressing constructs lacking the N and/or C terminus of plakoglobin in A-431 cells. Our results demonstrate that myc-tagged plakoglobin lacking either end domain is still able to associate with the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein and incorporate into desmosomes. In cell lines that express an N-terminal truncation of plakoglobin, an increase in the cytosolic pool of en-dogenous and ectopic plakoglobin was observed that may reflect an increase in the stability of the protein. Deletion of the N terminus did not have a dramatic effect on the structure of desmosomes in these cells. On the other hand, striking alterations in desmosome morphology were observed in cells expressing C-terminal truncations of plakoglobin. In these cell lines, ectopic plakoglobin incorporated into desmosomes, and extremely long junctions or groups of tandemly linked desmosomes which remained well attached to keratin intermediate filaments, were observed. Together, these results suggest that plakoglobin end domains play a role in regulating its subcellular distribution, and that the presence of the C terminus limits the size of desmosomes, perhaps through regulating protein-protein interactions required for assembly of the desmosomal plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- H L Palka
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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30
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Meng JJ, Bornslaeger EA, Green KJ, Steinert PM, Ip W. Two-hybrid analysis reveals fundamental differences in direct interactions between desmoplakin and cell type-specific intermediate filaments. J Biol Chem 1997; 272:21495-503. [PMID: 9261168 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.34.21495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are cell junctions that act as sites of strong intercellular adhesion and also serve to anchor the intermediate filament (IF) cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane of a variety of cell types. Previous studies demonstrated that the COOH terminus of the desmosomal plaque protein, desmoplakin (DP), is required for the association of DP with IF networks in cultured cells and that this domain interacts directly with type II epidermal keratin polypeptides in vitro. However, these studies left open the question of how desmosomes might anchor other IF types known to associate with these junctions. In this report we used yeast two-hybrid and in vitro dot blot assays to further examine the requirements for direct interactions between desmoplakin and various IF types. Our results confirm the ability of the DP COOH terminus (DPCT) to interact with at least two regions of the head domain of the type II epidermal keratin K1 and also demonstrate that DPCT can interact with the type III IF family members, vimentin and desmin, as well as simple epithelial keratins. Unlike the situation for type II epidermal keratins, the interaction between DPCT and simple epithelial keratins appears to depend on heterodimerization of the type I and II keratin polypeptides, since both are required to detect an interaction. Furthermore, although the interaction between DPCT and K1 requires the keratin head domain, deletion of this domain from the simple epithelial keratins does not compromise interaction with DPCT. The interaction between DPCT and type III or simple epithelial keratins also appeared to be less robust than that between DPCT and K1. In the case of K8/K18, however, the interaction as assessed by yeast two-hybrid assays increased 9-fold when a serine located in a protein kinase A consensus phosphorylation site 23 residues from the end of DP was altered to a glycine. Taken together, these data indicate that DP interacts directly with different IF types in specific ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Meng
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0521, USA
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31
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Green KJ, Bornslaeger EA, Kowalczyk AP, Palka HL, Norvell SM. Specificity of desmosomal plaque protein interactions with intermediate filaments: keeping adhesive junctions segregated. Soc Gen Physiol Ser 1997; 52:123-39. [PMID: 9210225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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32
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Kowalczyk AP, Borgwardt JE, Green KJ. Analysis of desmosomal cadherin-adhesive function and stoichiometry of desmosomal cadherin-plakoglobin complexes. J Invest Dermatol 1996; 107:293-300. [PMID: 8751959 DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12363000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions that associate with the intermediate filament cytoskeleton. The two major classes of transmembrane desmosomal glycoproteins, desmogleins and desmocollins, are widely considered to function as adhesion molecules. This assumption is based in part on their homology to the cadherin family of calcium-dependent homophilic adhesion molecules. In addition, autoantibodies from pemphigus patients bind directly to desmoglein family members and are thought to cause epidermal blistering by inhibiting the function of these cadherins. To directly test the ability of the desmosomal cadherins to mediate adhesion, desmoglein-1 (Dsg1), desmocollin-2 (Dsc2a) and plakoglobin were expressed in mouse L cell fibroblasts. Similar to catenin:classical cadherin complexes, plakoglobin:Dsc2a complexes exhibited an approximately 1:1 stoichiometry; however, plakoglobin:Dsg1 complexes exhibited a 6:1 stoichiometry. When L cells expressing the desmosomal cadherins were tested for the ability to aggregate in suspension, L cells expressing E-cadherin exhibited extensive aggregation, but L cells expressing Dsg1 or Dsc2a did not aggregate. In addition, L cells co-expressing Dsg1, Dsc2a, and plakoglobin failed to aggregate. The cytoplasmic domain of E-cadherin is thought to play a central role in the adhesive function of E-cadherin by providing a link to the actin cytoskeleton. Therefore, two chimeric cadherins comprising the cytoplasmic domain of E-cadherin and the extracellular domain of either Dsg1 or Dsc2a were expressed in L cells. Both chimeras formed a complex with alpha- and beta-catenin. Nevertheless, neither of these chimeras supported aggregation of L cells when expressed individually or when co-expressed. These data suggest that the extracellular domains of the desmosomal cadherins exhibit functional properties distinct from those of the classical cadherins, such as E-cadherin.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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Bornslaeger EA, Corcoran CM, Stappenbeck TS, Green KJ. Breaking the connection: displacement of the desmosomal plaque protein desmoplakin from cell-cell interfaces disrupts anchorage of intermediate filament bundles and alters intercellular junction assembly. J Cell Biol 1996; 134:985-1001. [PMID: 8769422 PMCID: PMC2120955 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.134.4.985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The desmosomal plaque protein desmoplakin (DP), located at the juncture between the intermediate filament (IF) network and the cytoplasmic tails of the transmembrane desmosomal cadherins, has been proposed to link IF to the desmosomal plaque. Consistent with this hypothesis, previous studies of individual DP domains indicated that the DP COOH terminus associates with IF networks whereas NH2-terminal sequences govern the association of DP with the desmosomal plaque. Nevertheless, it had not yet been demonstrated that DP is required for attaching IF to the desmosome. To test this proposal directly, we generated A431 cell lines stably expressing DP NH2-terminal polypeptides, which were expected to compete with endogenous DP during desmosome assembly. As these polypeptides lacked the COOH-terminal IF-binding domain, this competition should result in the loss of IF anchorage if DP is required for linking IF to the desmosomal plaque. In such cells, a 70-kD DP NH2-terminal polypeptide (DP-NTP) colocalized at cell-cell interfaces with desmosomal proteins. As predicted, the distribution of endogenous DP was severely perturbed. At cell-cell borders where endogenous DP was undetectable by immunofluorescence, there was a striking absence of attached tonofibrils (IF bundles). Furthermore, DP-NTP assembled into ultrastructurally identifiable junctional structures lacking associated IF bundles. Surprisingly, immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy indicated that adherens junction components were coassembled into these structures along with desmosomal components and DP-NTP. These results indicate that DP is required for anchoring IF networks to desmosomes and furthermore suggest that the DP-IF complex is important for governing the normal spatial segregation of adhesive junction components during their assembly into distinct structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Bornslaeger
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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Abstract
Desmosomes and hemidesmosomes are the major cell surface attachment sites for intermediate filaments at cell-cell and cell-substrate contacts, respectively. The transmembrane molecules of the desmosome belong to the cadherin family of calcium-dependent adhesion molecules, whereas those in the hemidesmosome include the integrin class of cell matrix receptors. In each junction, the cytoplasmic domains of certain transmembrane junction components contain unusually long carboxy-terminal tails not found in those family members involved in linkage of actin to the cell surface. These domains are thought to be important for the regulation of junction assembly and specific attachment of intermediate filaments via associated adapter proteins. Recent developments have suggested the exciting possibility that these junctions, in addition to playing an important structural function in tissue integrity, are both acceptors and affectors of cell signaling pathways. Many desmosomal and hemidesmosomal constituents are phosphoproteins and in certain cases the function of specific phosphorylation sites in regulating protein-protein interactions is being uncovered. In addition, a more active role in transmitting signals that control morphogenesis during development and possibly even regulate cell growth and differentiation are being defined for cytoplasmic and membrane components of these junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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35
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Kowalczyk AP, Anderson JE, Borgwardt JE, Hashimoto T, Stanley JR, Green KJ. Pemphigus sera recognize conformationally sensitive epitopes in the amino-terminal region of desmoglein-1. J Invest Dermatol 1995; 105:147-52. [PMID: 7543545 DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12316680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
To identify regions of the Desmoglein-1 (Dsg1) extracellular domain that are targeted by pemphigus antisera, cDNA sequences encoding various regions of the Dsg1 extracellular domain were ligated to sequences encoding the E-cadherin extracellular anchor and transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. These constructs were then expressed in mammalian cells, and pemphigus sera were tested for the ability to recognize the Dsg1 extracellular domains. When analyzed by immunoblot, very few pemphigus foliaceus sera recognized the Dsg1 domains. To determine whether pemphigus sera recognize non-denatured Dsg1 domains, constructs were expressed in cultured cells and tested for reactivity with pemphigus sera using live-cell immunofluorescence. The pemphigus foliaceus sera reacted strongly with the Dsg1 extracellular domain by live-cell immunofluorescence and recognized predominantly the amino-terminal region of the Dsg1 extracellular domain. In addition, sera from patients with pemphigus vulgaris also demonstrated strong reactivity with the Dsg1 extracellular domain when tested using live-cell immunofluorescence. In contrast, sera from normal human controls and sera from bullous pemphigoid patients did not react with the Dsg1 extracellular domain. These data indicate that both pemphigus foliaceus and pemphigus vulgaris sera react with conformationally sensitive epitopes in the amino-terminal region of Dsg1.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
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36
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Abstract
Patients with the autoimmune blistering disease pemphigus foliaceus (PF) have circulating autoantibodies directed against the desmosomal cadherin desmoglein 1 (Dsg1). Based on the fact that purified IgG fractions from PF patients induce loss of cell adhesion in organ culture and in a neonatal mouse model, it has been proposed that these anti-Dsg1 antibodies play a pathogenic role in blister formation. To directly address whether antibodies in PF sera specific for the Dsg1 extracellular domain are indeed pathogenic in the disease, PFIg, a chimeric protein containing the entire extracellular domain of human Dsg1 and the constant region of human IgG1, was produced by baculovirus expression. Incubation of PF patients' sera with the PFIg baculoprotein removed the immunoreactivity of autoantibodies against keratinocyte cell surfaces in all 20 PF and eight Brazilian PF patients' sera tested. This adsorption was conformation dependent, because PFIg protein denatured by low pH or heat was no longer able to adsorb the immunoreactivity of PF sera. Furthermore, the incubation with the PFIg baculoprotein eliminated the pathogenic activity of PF patients' sera and prevented gross blister formation in a neonatal mouse model of pemphigus. Anti-Dsg1 antibodies eluted from the PFIg protein column were pathogenic as they resulted in the appearance of gross blisters in neonatal mice with typical histologic findings of PF. These observations indicate that the extracellular domain of Dsg1 expressed by baculovirus is capable of specifically immunoadsorbing pathogenic autoantibodies from PF patients' sera and provide direct evidence that the anti-Dsg1 autoantibodies in PF sera are indeed pathogenic. The availability of this Dsg1 recombinant protein may facilitate the development of antigen-specific plasmapheresis as a novel therapeutic strategy in pemphigus.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Amagai
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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37
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Amagai M, Wang Y, Minoshima S, Kawamura K, Green KJ, Nishikawa T, Shimizu N. Assignment of the human genes for desmocollin 3 (DSC3) and desmocollin 4 (DSC4) to chromosome 18q12. Genomics 1995; 25:330-2. [PMID: 7774948 DOI: 10.1016/0888-7543(95)80154-e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Amagai
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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38
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Kowalczyk AP, Palka HL, Luu HH, Nilles LA, Anderson JE, Wheelock MJ, Green KJ. Posttranslational regulation of plakoglobin expression. Influence of the desmosomal cadherins on plakoglobin metabolic stability. J Biol Chem 1994; 269:31214-23. [PMID: 7983064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are adhesive intercellular junctions that act as cell surface attachment sites for intermediate filaments. The desmosomal glycoproteins, desmogleins and desmocollins, are members of the cadherin family of adhesion molecules. In addition, desmoglein has been shown to coimmunoprecipitate with the junctional protein plakoglobin. To characterize further the interaction between plakoglobin and the desmosomal cadherins, stable mouse fibroblast (L-cells) cell lines were generated that express plakoglobin, desmoglein and plakoglobin, or desmocollin and plakoglobin. L-cell lines transfected with a plasmid encoding human plakoglobin expressed plakoglobin mRNA but very little plakoglobin protein. However, plakoglobin protein was expressed at high levels in L-cells coexpressing either desmoglein or desmocollin. In addition, both desmocollin and desmoglein were found to coimmunoprecipitate with plakoglobin. The transient expression of desmoglein in L-cell lines expressing plakoglobin mRNA resulted in the formation of a complex between plakoglobin and desmoglein and in the accumulation of plakoglobin protein. Furthermore, the rate of plakoglobin protein degradation was decreased by 15-20-fold in cell lines expressing either desmoglein or desmocollin. These results demonstrate that the desmosomal cadherins posttranslationally regulate plakoglobin expression by decreasing the rate of plakoglobin degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Pathology, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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39
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Stappenbeck TS, Lamb JA, Corcoran CM, Green KJ. Phosphorylation of the desmoplakin COOH terminus negatively regulates its interaction with keratin intermediate filament networks. J Biol Chem 1994; 269:29351-4. [PMID: 7525582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Desmoplakins (DPs) are the most abundant proteins in the innermost portion of the desmosomal plaque and have been proposed to play a role in the attachment of intermediate filaments (IF) to cell-cell contact sites. Our previous results suggest that the globular end domains of DP perform dual functions: first, to target DP to the desmosome via the NH2 terminus and second, to attach IF to the desmosomal plaque via the COOH terminus. When ectopically expressed in most cultured cells, the COOH terminus plus the rod domain (DP. delta N.SerC23) exhibits striking coalignment with keratin IF networks. However, in certain cell types (e.g. PtK2) or in cells treated with forskolin to activate protein kinase A, DP. delta N.SerC23 exhibits a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. A variant molecule (DP. delta N.GlyC23) in which a serine located 23 amino acids from the COOH terminus is altered to a glycine, thereby disrupting a protein kinase A consensus phosphorylation site, co-localizes with keratin IF networks regardless of cell type or forskolin treatment. Analysis of the phosphopeptide maps of these DP variants and endogenous DP is consistent with the phosphorylation of the serine 23 residues from the COOH terminus. These results suggest that phosphorylation of a specific residue in the DP COOH terminus may negatively regulate its interaction with keratin IF networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Stappenbeck
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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40
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Kowalczyk AP, Stappenbeck TS, Parry DA, Palka HL, Virata ML, Bornslaeger EA, Nilles LA, Green KJ. Structure and function of desmosomal transmembrane core and plaque molecules. Biophys Chem 1994; 50:97-112. [PMID: 8011944 DOI: 10.1016/0301-4622(94)85023-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Desmosomes are intercellular junctions that function in cell-cell adhesion and attachment of intermediate filaments (IF) to the cell surface. Desmogleins and desmocollins are the major components of the transmembrane adhesion complex, whereas desmoplakins (DPs) are the most prominent components of the cytoplasmic plaque. Based on sequence similarity, desmogleins and desmocollins are related to the calcium-dependent homophilic adhesion molecules known as cadherins. Like the classical cadherins, the desmosomal cadherins contain four homologous extracellular domains bearing putative calcium-binding sites, a single transmembrane spanning domain, and a C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Molecules in the desmoglein subclass contain a unique C-terminal extension within which is found a repeating motif that is predicted to form two beta-strands and two turns. Stable cell lines expressing desmoglein 1 have been generated from normally non-adherent L cell fibroblasts, to study the contribution of this cadherin to desmosomal adhesion. The predicted sequence of desmoplakin (DP) I suggests it will form homodimers comprising a central alpha-helical coiled-coil rod and two globular end domains. The C-terminus contains three regions with significant homology, each of which is made up of a 38-residue motif also found in two other molecules involved in organization of IF, bullous pemphigoid antigen and plectin. Ectopically expressed polypeptides including the C-terminus of DP I specifically align with keratin and vimentin IF in cultured cells, whereas those lacking this domain do not align with IF. The last 68 amino acids of DP are required for alignment along keratin but not vimentin IF, and residues 48-68 from the C-terminal end are critical for this interaction. These results suggest that the C-terminus of DP plays a role in the attachment of IF to the desmosome and that a specific site is necessary for interaction with keratin IF. A sequence at the most N-terminal end of DP appears to be required for efficient incorporation into the desmosomal plaque. Interestingly, this region has not been reported to be present in the homologous bullous pemphigoid antigen or plectin molecules and may represent a desmosomal targeting sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Kowalczyk
- Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Pathology, Chicago, IL 60611
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41
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Wang Y, Amagai M, Minoshima S, Sakai K, Green KJ, Nishikawa T, Shimizu N. The human genes for desmogleins (DSG1 and DSG3) are located in a small region on chromosome 18q12. Genomics 1994; 20:492-5. [PMID: 8034325 DOI: 10.1006/geno.1994.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Desmoglein is a transmembrane glycoprotein component of desmosomes in vertebrate epithelial cells. Two of the three currently known desmogleins are the autoantigens of autoimmune skin blistering diseases, pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus, in which autoantibodies cause the loss of cell adhesion of keratinocytes with resultant blister formation. In this study, the genes for two autoantigens (DSG1 for pemphigus foliaceus and DSG3 for pemphigus vulgaris) were mapped on band q12 of human chromosome 18 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Furthermore, both genes were localized on a 320-kb genomic fragment separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. These results suggest the possibility of a cluster for the desmoglein gene family on chromosome 18.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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42
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Stappenbeck TS, Bornslaeger EA, Corcoran CM, Luu HH, Virata ML, Green KJ. Functional analysis of desmoplakin domains: specification of the interaction with keratin versus vimentin intermediate filament networks. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 1993; 123:691-705. [PMID: 7693716 PMCID: PMC2200123 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.123.3.691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that truncated desmoplakin I (DP I) molecules containing the carboxyl terminus specifically coalign with and disrupt both keratin and vimentin intermediate filament (IF) networks when overexpressed in tissue culture cells (Stappenbeck, T. S., and K. J. Green. J. Cell Biol. 116:1197-1209). These experiments suggested that the DP carboxyl-terminal domain is involved either directly or indirectly in linking IF with the desmosome. Using a similar approach, we have now investigated the behavior of ectopically expressed full-length DP I in cultured cells. In addition, we have further dissected the functional sequences in the carboxyl terminus of DP I that facilitate the interaction with IF networks. Transient transfection of a clone encoding full-length DP I into COS-7 cells produced protein that appeared in some cells to associate with desmosomes and in others to coalign with and disrupt IF. Deletion of the carboxyl terminus from this clone resulted in protein that still appeared capable of associating with desmosomes but not interacting with IF networks. As the amino terminus appeared to be dispensable for IF interaction, we made finer deletions in the carboxyl terminus of DP based on blocks of sequence similarity with the related molecules bullous pemphigoid antigen and plectin. We found a sequence at the very carboxyl terminus of DP that was necessary for coalignment with and disruption of keratin IF but not vimentin IF. Furthermore, the coalignment of specific DP proteins along keratin IF but not vimentin IF was correlated with resistance to extraction by Triton. The striking uncoupling resulting from the deletion of specific DP sequences suggests that the carboxyl terminus of DP interacts differentially with keratin and vimentin IF networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Stappenbeck
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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43
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Buxton RS, Cowin P, Franke WW, Garrod DR, Green KJ, King IA, Koch PJ, Magee AI, Rees DA, Stanley JR. Nomenclature of the desmosomal cadherins. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 1993; 121:481-3. [PMID: 8486729 PMCID: PMC2119574 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.121.3.481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R S Buxton
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, United Kingdom
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44
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Abstract
Desmoplakins (DPs) I and II are two major related proteins located in the desmosomal plaque where they have been proposed to play a role in attaching intermediate filaments (IF) to the inner cell surface. The predicted amino acid sequence of DP was obtained by analysis of overlapping cDNA clones. Computer-aided analysis suggests that DPI will form a dumbbell-shaped homodimer, with a central alpha-helical coiled coil rod domain of 132 nm and two globular end domains. The DPII molecule is missing 599 residues from the central domain, resulting in a rod about one third the length of DPI. The carboxyl terminus comprises three subdomains each containing almost 5 repeats of a 38 residue repeating motif with a periodicity in acidic and basic residues similar to that found in the rod domain of IF proteins. This suggests a possible mechanism by which these proteins might interact. The amino terminus contains groups of heptad repeats that are predicted to form at least two major alpha-helical rich bundles. A series of c-myc-tagged mammalian expression vectors encoding specific predicted domains of DPI were transiently expressed in COS-7 cells. Light and electron microscopical observations revealed that DP polypeptides including the 90 kDa carboxyl terminal globular domain of DPI specifically colocalized with and ultimately resulted in the complete disruption of keratin and vimentin IF. This effect was specific for the carboxyl terminus, as the expression of the 95 kDa rod domain of DPI did not visibly alter IF networks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611
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45
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Peifer M, McCrea PD, Green KJ, Wieschaus E, Gumbiner BM. The vertebrate adhesive junction proteins beta-catenin and plakoglobin and the Drosophila segment polarity gene armadillo form a multigene family with similar properties. J Cell Biol 1992; 118:681-91. [PMID: 1639851 PMCID: PMC2289544 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.118.3.681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 308] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Three proteins identified by quite different criteria in three different systems, the Drosophila segment polarity gene armadillo, the human desmosomal protein plakoglobin, and the Xenopus E-cadherin-associated protein beta-catenin, share amino acid sequence similarity. These findings raise questions about the relationship among the three molecules and their roles in different cell-cell adhesive junctions. We have found that antibodies against the Drosophila segment polarity gene armadillo cross react with a conserved vertebrate protein. This protein is membrane associated, probably via its interaction with a cadherin-like molecule. This cross-reacting protein is the cadherin-associated protein beta-catenin. Using anti-armadillo and antiplakoglobin antibodies, it was shown that beta-catenin and plakoglobin are distinct molecules, which can coexist in the same cell type. Plakoglobin interacts with the desmosomal glycoprotein desmoglein I, and weakly with E-cadherin. Although beta-catenin interacts tightly with E-cadherin, it does not seem to be associated with either desmoglein I or with isolated desmosomes. Anti-armadillo antibodies have been further used to determine the intracellular localization of beta-catenin, and to examine its tissue distribution. The implications of these results for the structure and function of different cell-cell adhesive junctions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Peifer
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599
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46
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Green KJ, Virata ML, Elgart GW, Stanley JR, Parry DA. Comparative structural analysis of desmoplakin, bullous pemphigoid antigen and plectin: members of a new gene family involved in organization of intermediate filaments. Int J Biol Macromol 1992; 14:145-53. [PMID: 1390446 DOI: 10.1016/s0141-8130(05)80004-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Desmoplakins (DP) and bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPA) are major plaque components of the desmosome and hemidesmosome, respectively. These cell adhesion structures are both associated intimately with the intermediate filament (IF) network. Structural analyses of DP and BPA sequences have indicated that these molecules are likely to form extended dumbbell-shaped dimers with a central rod and globular end domains. Recent sequence data have indicated that the N-terminal domains of both DP and BPA (like their C-terminal domains) are highly related: the former contain regions of heptad repeats that are predicted to form several alpha-helical bundles. Comparisons of DP and BPA protein sequences with that of plectin (PL), a 466 kDa IF-associated protein, have also revealed large scale homology. Identities between their N-terminal domains are: DP:BPA = 35%, DP:PL = 32%, BPA:PL = 40%, suggesting that BPA is more closely related to PL than DP in this region. In the C-terminal domains, which contain a 38-residue repeating motif, however, DP and PL are closer relatives (identities: DP:BPA = 38%, BPA:PL = 40%, DP:PL = 49%). The central domains of all three proteins have extensive heptad repeat substructure, express the same periodic distribution of charged residues, and are predicted to form two-stranded alpha-helical coiled-coil ropes. These observations suggest that DP, BPA and PL belong to a new gene family encoding proteins involved in IF organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Pathology, Chicago, IL 60611
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47
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Stappenbeck TS, Green KJ. The desmoplakin carboxyl terminus coaligns with and specifically disrupts intermediate filament networks when expressed in cultured cells. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 1992; 116:1197-209. [PMID: 1740472 PMCID: PMC2289350 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.116.5.1197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific interactions between desmoplakins I and II (DP I and II) and other desmosomal or cytoskeletal molecules have been difficult to determine in part because of the complexity and insolubility of the desmosome and its constituents. We have used a molecular genetic approach to investigate the role that DP I and II may play in the association of the desmosomal plaque with cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IF). A series of mammalian expression vectors encoding specific predicted domains of DP I were transiently expressed in cultured cells that form (COS-7) and do not form (NIH-3T3) desmosomes. Sequence encoding a small antigenic peptide was added to the 3' end of each mutant DP cDNA to facilitate immunolocalization of mutant DP protein. Light and electron microscopical observations revealed that DP polypeptides including the 90-kD carboxy-terminal globular domain of DP I specifically colocalized with and ultimately resulted in the complete disruption of IF in both cell lines. This effect was specific for IF as microtubule and microfilament networks were unaltered. This effect was also specific for the carboxyl terminus of DP, as the expression of the 95-kD rod domain of DP I did not visibly alter IF networks. Immunogold localization of COS-7 cells transfected with constructs including the carboxyl terminus of DP demonstrated an accumulation of mutant protein in perinuclear aggregates within which IF subunits were sequestered. These results suggest a role for the DP carboxyl terminus in the attachment of IF to the desmosome in either a direct or indirect manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- T S Stappenbeck
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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48
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Abstract
Desmoplakins (DPs) I and II are closely related proteins found in the innermost region of the desmosomal plaque, which serves as a cell surface attachment site for cytoplasmic intermediate filaments. Overlapping cDNA clones comprising 9.2 kilobases of DP-I, predicted to encode a full-length 310-kDa polypeptide (2677 amino acid residues), have now been identified. Here we report the predicted protein sequence and structural analysis of the N terminus of DP, extending our previous study of the rod and carboxyl domains. The N terminus contains groups of heptad repeats that are predicted to form at least two major alpha-helical-rich bundles. Unlike the rod and carboxyl domains, the N terminus did not display a periodic distribution of charged residues. Northern blot mapping and genomic sequence analysis were also undertaken to examine the organization of the DP mRNAs. A 1-kilobase intron was located at the 3' boundary of a DP-I-specific region; however, instead of an intron at the 5' junction, a possible splice donor site was observed within a potential coding sequence, suggesting alternative RNA splicing from an internal donor site.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Virata
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611
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49
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Nilles LA, Parry DA, Powers EE, Angst BD, Wagner RM, Green KJ. Structural analysis and expression of human desmoglein: a cadherin-like component of the desmosome. J Cell Sci 1991; 99 ( Pt 4):809-21. [PMID: 1770008 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.99.4.809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Desmosomes are adhesive cell junctions found in great abundance in tissues that experience mechanical stress. The transmembrane desmosomal glycoproteins have been proposed to play a role in cell adhesion; desmoglein I (DGI) is a major member of this class of desmosomal molecules. However, evidence supporting a role for DGI in cell adhesion or in the plaque is lacking. In order to begin to understand DGI function we have identified human cDNA clones encoding the entire mature polypeptide of 1000 amino acids. Our data suggest that like the bovine DGI molecule human DGI is highly related to the calcium-dependent class of cell adhesion molecules known as cadherins. Four related extracellular domains located in the amino-terminal domain of the molecule contain putative calcium binding sites originally identified in the cadherins. The highest degree of similarity between human N-cadherin and human DGI, and likewise between bovine DGI and human DGI, is greatest in the most amino-terminal extracellular domain. This suggests a conserved functional role for the extracellular domains, perhaps in calcium-mediated cell adhesion. The cytoplasmic portion of the molecule contains a cadherin-like region and, like bovine DGI, a carboxy-terminal tail that is not present in the cadherins, comprising three additional domains. One of these contains a novel repeating motif of 29 +/− 1 residues, first identified in bovine DGI. Each of the highly homologous repeating units is likely to consist of two beta-strands and two turns with special characteristics. Five amino acids that are identical in bovine and human DGI lie in the second of the two predicted beta-strands, and intriguingly contain putative target sites for protein kinase C. On the basis of structural analysis, a model predicting the disposition of human DGI domains in the desmosome is proposed. Northern analysis suggests that unlike bovine epidermis, which expresses a single mRNA of reported size approximately 7.6 kb, human foreskin and cultured keratinocytes display a complex pattern with bands of approximately 7.2, 4.0 and 3.0 kb. Each of these cross-hybridizing mRNAs is coordinately expressed in normal human keratinocytes in response to long-term culture and increased calcium.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Nilles
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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50
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Green KJ, Stappenbeck TS, Noguchi S, Oyasu R, Nilles LA. Desmoplakin expression and distribution in cultured rat bladder epithelial cells of varying tumorigenic potential. Exp Cell Res 1991; 193:134-43. [PMID: 1995289 DOI: 10.1016/0014-4827(91)90547-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The expression and distribution of the desmosomal plaque proteins, desmoplakins (DPs) I and II, were studied in nontumorigenic (RBE-8) and a series of tumorigenic (AY34, R-4909, SS-24B, RBTCC-8, and 804G) rat bladder epithelial cell lines. These cell lines ranged from slow-growing papillary transitional cells (AY34) to rapidly metastatic carcinoma cells (RBTCC-8). DPs I and II were shown by immunoblotting and Northern analysis to be present in nontumorigenic RBE-8 cells as well as in all of the tumorigenic cell lines, albeit in differing amounts. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed striking differences in DP distribution, corresponding in general with increases in tumorigenic potential. Whereas DPs of normal RBE-8 cells and less tumorigenic AY34 cells were localized predominantly at cell interfaces, the more tumorigenic lines exhibited a high proportion of DP in the form of cytoplasmic dots, a distribution reminiscent of that seen in epithelial cells maintained in low levels of extracellular calcium. In 804G cells, which represented the most extreme example of this phenomenon, the majority of DPs were organized as cytoplasmic dots. Electron microscopy revealed intermediate filament (IF)-associated spots in the cytoplasm as well as an elaborate array of IF-associated plaques at the cell-substratum interface. The IF-associated spots in the cytoplasm reacted with anti-DP antibody in immunogold labeling experiments while those at the cell-substratum did not react. In more dense cultures of 804G cells, certain cells stratified and expressed increased amounts of DP followed by the induction of new keratins including those of the skin type. Decreasing extracellular calcium resulted in a rearrangement of DP in each cell line; staining at cell-cell interfaces disappeared and was replaced with a pattern of cytoplasmic dots. These results demonstrate a possible relationship between desmosome assembly and/or maintenance and tumorigenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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