The cadherins are a superfamily of calcium-dependent glycoproteins that are cell adhesion molecules. Two families of desmosomal cadherins, the desmocollins and the desmogleins, are found only in the desmosome type of cell-cell junction.

Members

 desmocollin-1 (DSC1) (MIM.125643)
 desmocollin-2 (DSC2) (MIM.125645)
 desmocollin-3 (DSC3) (MIM.600271)
 desmocollin-4 (DSC4) (MIM.600271)

The desmosomal cadherins are potential cell adhesion molecules of the desmosome type of cell junction by virtue of their homology to the cadherin class of cell adhesion molecules. Two classes of desmosomal cadherins are known, namely, the desmogleins and the desmocollins (MIM.125645).

References

 Huber O. Structure and function of desmosomal proteins and their role in development and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2003 Sep;60(9):1872-90. PMID: #14523549#