Fig. 2.

Desmosomal cadherin structures. The DSG2 EC1 domain solution structure [Protein Data Bank (PDB) code: 2YQG] is shown as a ribbon, as is a homology-derived model of DSC2's EC1 (based on the crystal structure of the corresponding region of the mouse N-cadherin extracellular domain) (PDB code: 3Q2W). Point mutations that are known to be pathogenic are shown as copper (buried residues) or green (surface-exposed residues). Alignment of the EC1 sequences of DSG2, DSC2, and mouse N-cadherin indicates that mutated residues are all highly conserved, supporting their critical functional or structural roles.