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  • Title: Expression of distinct desmocollin isoforms in human epidermis.
    Author: King IA, Tabiowo A, Purkis P, Leigh I, Magee AI.
    Journal: J Invest Dermatol; 1993 Apr; 100(4):373-9. PubMed ID: 7681089.
    Abstract:
    Previous evidence suggested the presence of two distinct desmocollin isoforms in human epidermis. These isoforms have now been distinguished at the protein level using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against N-terminal fragments of desmosomal glycoprotein (DG) IV/V isolated from plantar callus and antibodies against a fusion protein containing the extracellular domain of DGII/III. Immune blotting of glycoprotein fractions from whole epidermis, plantar callus, psoriatic scales and cultured keratinocytes showed that intact DGIV/V and its proteolytic fragments consistently migrated faster than DGII/III during SDS-PAGE. The apparent Mr difference between the two isoforms was in the range 2-5 kD. DGIV/V was the predominant species in epidermal tissue but was much less prominent in cultured cells by immune-blotting and immune precipitation. This is consistent with the differentiation-related expression of desmocollins revealed by immunofluorescence. DGIV/V was strongly expressed in the upper spinous/granular layer of the epidermis whereas DGII/III was more prominent in the basal layers of the tissue. The DGIV/V monoclonal (LH50) recognized an N-terminal, Ca(++)-sensitive epitope, because its staining of unfixed epidermal tissue was markedly influenced by Ca++ levels. Ca++ inhibition was observed at concentrations as low as 50 microM, suggesting its possible physiologic significance. Ca++ inhibition of LH50 binding was also observed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system using denatured glycoproteins although higher concentrations were required. It remains to be seen whether direct effects of Ca++ on desmocollin conformation are involved in the regulation of keratinization by extracellular Ca++.
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