Desmosomes are specialized cell structures that function as junctions to hold adjacent cells together. They are particularly abundant in tissues that experience significant mechanical stress, such as the skin and cardiac muscle. Desmosomes consist of transmembrane glycoproteins from the cadherin family, specifically desmogleins and desmocollins, which interact with intracellular anchor proteins like plakoglobin and desmoplakin. These, in turn, connect to intermediate filaments such as keratin, thereby providing structural integrity.
