What are desmosomes?

Desmosomes are intercellular junctions that tether intermediate filaments to the plasma membrane. Although desmosomes are critical for maintaining stable cell–cell adhesion, emerging evidence indicates that they are also dynamic structures that contribute to cellular processes beyond that of cell adhesion.

What are desmosomes in simple terms?

Definition of desmosome : a specialized structure of the cell membrane especially of an epithelial cell that serves as a zone of adhesion to anchor contiguous cells together.

What is the general function of desmosomes?

Desmosomes represent major intercellular adhesive junctions at basolateral membranes of epithelial cells and in other tissues. They mediate direct cell-cell contacts and provide anchorage sites for intermediate filaments important for the maintenance of tissue architecture.

What is a desmosome in anatomy?

A desmosome (/ˈdɛzməˌsoʊm/; “binding body”), also known as a macula adherens (plural: maculae adherentes) (Latin for adhering spot), is a cell structure specialized for cell-to-cell adhesion. A type of junctional complex, they are localized spot-like adhesions randomly arranged on the lateral sides of plasma membranes.

How are desmosome formed?

Thus, desmosomes are modular structures comprising adhesion molecules that bolt cells together, cytoskeletal cables that disperse forces, and linking molecules at the cytoplasmic plaque of the desmosome that carry mechanical load from the adhesion molecules to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton.

What are desmosomes in skin?

Desmosomes are cell-cell junctions, which are attached to the intermediate filaments. Desmosomes are very abundant in the skin and mediate a strong adhesion between the epidermal keratinocytes from the basale cell layer to the stratum corneum.

What is an example of a Desmosome?

The desmosomes provide strong cell-to-cell adhesion and in humans and other vertebrates they are found in tissues exposed to intense mechanical stress. Examples of these tissues are cardiac muscle tissues, bladder tissues, epithelial tissues, and gastrointestinal mucosa.

Which one of the following best describes a Desmosome?

The desmosome is a type of cell junction. The other two types include tight junctions and gap junctions. Desmosomes hold cells together by forming a continuous band of epithelial tissue or belt (or button like) points of contact.

What do desmosomes do in the heart?

A desmosome is a cell structure that anchors the ends of cardiac muscle fibers together so the cells do not pull apart during the stress of individual fibers contracting (Figure 15.22).

Why does your skin need a desmosome?

Desmosomes are very abundant in the skin and mediate a strong adhesion between the epidermal keratinocytes from the basale cell layer to the stratum corneum. These junctions can rapidly respond to environmental changes, and allow the dynamic processes such as wound healing to occur.

What is an example of a desmosome?

What type of junction is a desmosome?

Introduction. Desmosomes are intercellular junctions that provide strong adhesion between cells. Because they also link intracellularly to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton they form the adhesive bonds in a network that gives mechanical strength to tissues.

What is the difference between desmosomes and hemidesmosomes?

The key difference between desmosomes and hemidesmosomes is the basis of their function . While desmosomes form cell to cell adhesions, hemidesmosomes form adhesions between cells and the basement membrane. Thus, the proteins involved in the structural functions vary between desmosomes and hemidesmosomes.

What is the role of desmosomes?

The function of desmosomes is to adhere cells together. They are found in high numbers in tissues that are subject to a lot of mechanical forces. For example, many are found in the epidermis, which is the outer layer of skin, and the myocardium, which is muscle tissue in the heart.