Embryology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Embryology, including details on stem cells, reproduction, transplants, cloning.

Desmocollin 3 is required for pre-implantation development of the mouse embryo.

Den Z, Cheng X, Merched-Sauvage M, Koch PJ

Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Desmocollin 3 (Dsc3) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the cadherin family of cell adhesion receptors. Together with desmoglein(s), it forms the transmembrane core of desmosomes, a multiprotein complex involved in cell adhesion, organization of the cytoskeleton, cell sorting and cell signaling. Previous reports have suggested that Dsc3 synthesis is largely restricted to stratified epithelia, and that it plays a role in the proper differentiation of these tissues during mammalian embryonic development. To test these hypotheses, we generated Dsc3-null mice. Unexpectedly, homozygous mutants show a pre-implantation lethal phenotype. In fact, most mutants die even before mature desmosomes are formed in the embryo, suggesting a new and unexpected role of Dsc3 during early development.

Published 30 January 2006 in J Cell Sci, 119: 482-9.
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