Desmosomes are distinct intercellular contacts essential to the integrity of epithelial tissues
and the heart muscle. This function is impaired in the disease pemphigus, in which patients
develop autoantibodies against the cadherin-type desmosomal core proteins desmogleins.
Autoantibody binding induces loss of cell–cell adhesion leading to blisters within the
epidermis and mucous membranes. Despite the relevance of desmosomes for integrity of
such essential organs as the skin, data on the regulation of desmosome assembly and …