The desmosomal cadherins, which include desmogleins and desmocollins, are Ca2+-
dependent adhesion molecules that cooperate to make up the adhesive core of intercellular
junctions known as desmosomes. The roles of desmosomal cadherins in epidermal integrity
and as targets in human cutaneous disease have been well established. However, the
molecular basis of these disorders is still poorly understood, due in part to a lack of
fundamental knowledge about the organization of the adhesive interface and molecular …