Desmoplakin Harnesses Rho GTPase and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling to Coordinate Cellular Migration.

ABSTRACT: Desmoplakin (DP) is an obligate component of desmosomal cell-cell junctions that links the adhesion plaque to the cytoskeletal intermediate filament network. While a central role for DP in maintaining the structure and stability of the desmosome is well established, recent work has indicated that DP's functions may extend beyond cell-cell adhesion. In our study, we show that loss of DP results in a significant increase in cellular migration, as measured by scratch wound assays, Transwell migration assays, and invasion assays. Loss of DP causes dramatic changes in actin cytoskeleton morphology, including enhanced protrusiveness, and an increase in filopodia length and number. Interestingly, these changes are also observed in single cells, indicating that control of actin morphology is a cel

SUBMITTER: Bendrick JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6535125 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature