Figure 3.

Expression patterns of the desmosomal cadherins in the epidermis. The epidermis is a stratified epithelium comprised of four distinct layers—the basal layer, spinous layer, granular layer, and the stratum corneum. Keratin filaments are shown connecting to desmosomes at sites of cell–cell contact and to hemidesmosomes at the basement membrane. The relative expression profiles of the various desmosomal cadherins and plaque proteins in the epidermal layers are depicted on the right. (Adapted with permission from Kottke et al. 2006.)