Fig. 3.

Fitting of plakoglobin X-ray structures onto the symmetrized plakoglobin layer. (A) Crossed-eye stereo representation of the isosurface of the symmetrized subtomogram average of the plakoglobin layer (in beige) on which the X-ray structures of an alternating plakoglobin/desmoplakin (green/blue) complex has been placed. The cytoplasmic region of the cadherins is indicated in red. Five individual plakoglobin/desmoplakin complexes were accommodated into the density map. The zigzag structure of the plakoglobin layer is clearly visible. The desmoplakin molecules connect to the plakoglobin molecules at two positions: on the upper part close to the N terminus and in the central armadillo repeats. (B) The same representation as in A rotated 90°. Next to the zigzag structure shown in A, an additional connection between plakoglobins or other densities can be observed, indicating lateral connections in two directions. (C) The same representation as in A rotated 90° around a different axis. This is the typical view observed on 2D EM images. (D) Arbitrary perspective view of the same structure.