Recombinant Human DSC2 protein

Desmocollin-2 (DSC2) is a member of the desmocollin subfamily of desmosomal cadherins, which are critical components of desmosomes—specialized intercellular junctions that mediate strong cell-cell adhesion and maintain tissue integrity. As a calcium-dependent transmembrane glycoprotein, DSC2 plays a vital role in anchoring intermediate filaments to the plasma membrane, particularly in tissues subjected to mechanical stress, such as cardiac muscle and epithelial layers. Dysregulation or mutations in DSC2 have been linked to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a heritable heart disorder characterized by fibrofatty myocardial replacement and arrhythmias, as well as skin blistering disorders like pemphigus.

Recombinant DSC2 protein is engineered using molecular cloning techniques to express and purify the protein in vitro, typically in systems like mammalian cells, insect cells, or bacteria. This allows researchers to study its structural and functional properties, including its role in desmosome assembly, cell adhesion dynamics, and interactions with other desmosomal components (e.g., desmogleins, plakoglobin). Recombinant DSC2 is often utilized to investigate pathogenic mechanisms of DSC2-associated diseases, develop diagnostic antibodies, or screen therapeutic compounds targeting desmosomal dysfunction. Its extracellular domain, which mediates homophilic and heterophilic binding, is a particular focus for structural studies and drug design. By enabling precise manipulation and analysis, recombinant DSC2 serves as a key tool in advancing both basic research and clinical applications related to cell adhesion disorders.