Periplakin (PPL)

Periplakin is a component of desmosomes and of the epidermal cornified envelope in keratinocytes. The N-terminal domain of this protein interacts with the plasma membrane and its C-terminus interacts with intermediate filaments. This protein may serve as a link between the cornified envelope and desmosomes as well as intermediate filaments. AKT1/PKB, a protein kinase mediating a variety of cell growth and survival signaling processes, is reported to interact with this protein, suggesting a possible role for this protein as a localization signal in AKT1-mediated signaling.The deduced 1,666-amino acid protein has a calculated molecular mass of about 205 kD. PPL shares extensive sequence homology with other proteins of the plakin family, with highest identities found in the N- and C-terminal domains.