The conservation and formation of desmosomes

Suhrbier, Andreas (1985) The conservation and formation of desmosomes. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

It has previously been shown that antibodies raised against bovine desmosomal components react with a wide variety of vertebrate epithelia. The desmosomal components of frog and chicken skin, Madin Darby bovine and canine kidney (MDBK and MDCK) cells and human keratinocytes were immunoblotted with these antisera. Methods are described for the purification of frog and chicken skin desmosomes. The desmosomal proteins from all the sources had similar or identical molecular weights. The desmosomal glycoproteins varied in molecular weight, heterogeneity and antibody cross-reactivity. Lectin blotting of frog, chicken and bovine desmosomal glycoproteins demonstrated that the carbohydrate moieties were different in these species. It is possible that desmosomal carbohydrate moieties have a role in controlling desmosome formation. When human keratinocytes maintained in low calcium medium (> 0.1mM), were treated with tunicamycin desmosome formation was triggered, as shown by immunofluorescence and electronmicroscopy. A similar assembly of desmosomal antigens, illustrated by immunofluorescence, could be demonstrated in MDCK cells treated with tunicamycin in low calcium medium. This treatment also caused patching of desmocollins in MDBK cells. The desmosomal glycoproteins appear to bind calcium, as shown by ⁴⁵Ca blotting, while the desmosomal adhesion molecules yield a soluble, 42,000 molecular weight, glycosylated calcium protected fragment when treated with trypsin. (D72318/87)

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