在细胞与细胞之间,桥粒提供一种强大的黏附作用,将细胞与中间纤维骨架相连,使细胞间的连接更为牢固。桥粒钙黏蛋白是一种Ca²⁺依赖型的黏附蛋白,主要存在于桥粒中,并且是构成桥粒的重要组成部分。桥粒钙黏蛋白与一些皮肤性疾病息息相关,它能参与黏附并维持组织结构的完整性,一旦桥粒钙黏蛋白的表达下降使组织间黏附丧失,将会导致一些皮肤性疾病如天疱疮、水疱性脓疱病和葡萄球菌性烫伤样皮肤综合症等的发生。桥粒钙黏蛋白家族成员具有多样性且各种蛋白在组织不同部位的表达具有复杂性,将对桥粒钙黏蛋白家族的成员及其在皮肤疾病方面的性质和功能作一个较全面的综述。

Desmosomes provide a strong adhesion between the cells, and they link intracellularly to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton to make the junction more strong. The desmosomal cadherins are Ca²⁺-dependent adhesion proteins and exist in desmosomes, and are the important parts of desmosomes. The desmosomal cadherins are closely related to some skin diseases. They are involved in adhension and can maintain the integrity of the organizational structures. When the expression decrease of desmosomal cadherins results in adhesion fails, some skin disease such as pemphigus, bullous impetigo, and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, etc will occur. The family members of desmosomal cadherins have diversity and the expression in different parts of the tissues is complex. Therefore, this article will review the family members of desmosomal cadherins, and their properties and function in skin diseases.

国家重大新药创制科技重大专项(2012ZX09101202)