Desmocollin 3 (DSC3)

Desmocollin 3 is a member of the desmocollin subfamily of the cadherin superfamily. These desmosomal family members, along with the desmogleins, are found primarily in epithelial cells where they constitute the adhesive proteins of the desmosome cell-cell junction and are required for cell adhesion and desmosome formation. The desmosomal family members are arranged in two clusters on chromosome 18, occupying less than 650 kb combined. The protein consisted of a signal peptide of 30 amino acids, a precursor segment of 105 amino acids, and a mature protein of 761 amino acids. Antibodies recognizing the predicted mature adhesion molecule of the protein stained antigens along the cell boundaries of normal human keratinocytes resembling the pattern of desmosome localization.