Imaging Nanoscale Changes in Desmosome Protein Organization

The study investigated the organization of desmosome proteins, specifically desmoglein 3, and their role in cell adhesion. Using fluorescence polarization microscopy, the researchers found that desmoglein 3 is ordered in desmosomes both in the presence and absence of calcium. However, when cells with calcium-dependent adhesion were placed in low calcium media, desmoglein 3 became disordered and adhesion was lost, while hyper-adhesive cells maintained adhesion despite the loss of protein order. This indicates that desmoglein 3's rigidity is compromised without calcium, but trans-binding of cadherin can continue, suggesting that signaling at the desmosomal plaque is crucial for hyper-adhesion. The study highlights the potential of fluorescence polarization microscopy to explore desmosome structure in relation to human diseases.