Abstract
Spot desmosomes (maculae adhaerentes) are anchoring junctions associated with intermediate filaments. They are arranged in circles in the lowermost position of junctional complexes (cf. Fig. 83), but are common also outside complex junctions, occurring independently of other cell contacts. Spot desmosomes are particularly abundant in all tissues that are exposed to mechanical stress. Like buttons, they link neighbouring cells to each other and help to stabilise cells and tissues and make them resistant to mechanical injuries. However, it is increasingly becoming clear that spot desmosomes not merely have a mechanical role by welding cells together. They also hold signalling functions and are considered to have a role as sensors that respond to cellular and environmental signals by changing their organisation and modulating their assembly state. Intracellular calcium homeostasis is crucial for desmosomal adhesion.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Chiraev NA and Troyanovsky SM (1997) Direct Ca2+-dependent heterophilic interaction between desmosomal cadherins, desmoglein and desmocollin, contributes to cell-cell adhesion. J Cell Biol 138: 193
Franke WW, Winter S, von Overbeck J, Gudat F, Heitz PU, and Stahli C (1987) Identification of the conserved, conformationdependent cytokeratin epitope recognised by monoclonal antibody (lu-5). Virch Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol 411: 137
Green KJ and Gaudry CA (2000) Are desmosomes more than thethers for intermediate filaments? Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 1: 208
Von Overbeck J, Stahli C, Gudat F, Carmann H, Lautenschlager C, Durmuller U, Takacs B, Miggiano V, Staehelin T, and Heitz PU (1985) Immunohistochemical characterisation of an antieipthelial monoclonal antibody (mAB lu-5). Virch Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol 407: 1
Studer D, Humbel BM, and Chiquet M (2008) Electron microscopy of high pressure frozen samples: bridging the gap between cellular ultrastructure and atomic resolution. Histochem Cell Biol 130: 877
Waschke J (2008) The desmosome and pemphigus. Histochem Cell Biol 130: 21
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer-Verlag/Wien
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pavelka, M., Roth, J. (2010). Spot Desmosomes. In: Functional Ultrastructure. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99390-3_90
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99390-3_90
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-211-99389-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-211-99390-3
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)