Mouse anti Human desmoplakin recognises a major protein component of the desmosome. Desmosomes are intercellular junctions that tightly link adjacent cells. Desmoplakin is a major high molecular weight protein (312 kDa) of desmosomes which anchor intermediate filaments to desmosomal plaques.

The N-terminus of desmoplakin is required for localization to the desmosome and interacts with the N-terminal region of plakophilin 1 to selectively recruit plakophilins to desmosomal plaques. Desmoplakin has also been shown to function as a transglutaminase substrate in vitro, suggesting that it may participate in cell adhesion at the intra-epidermal level.

Desmosomes are the most common type of intercellular junction in vertebrate epithelial cells. They are characterized by 2 forms of interaction with other cellular structures. Firstly, they form membrane anchorage sites for intermediate-size filaments, which are seen as electron-dense plaques evident beneath the plasma membrane. Secondly, a specific membrane core domain interacts with a corresponding domain of the plasma membrane of an adjacent cell, apparently mediating intercellular adhesion in a stable way. Mutations in the gene for this protein are the cause of several cardiomyopathies and keratodermas as well as some autoimmune diseases.

Mouse anti Human desmoplakin binds to an epitope between amino acids 2344-2822 of desmoplakin. This antibody has been extensively validated for western blotting using whole cell lysates.

This product has been reported to work in the following applications. This information is derived from testing within our laboratories, peer-reviewed publications or personal communications from the originators. Please refer to references indicated for further information. For general protocol recommendations, please visit the antibody protocols page.

Application Name	Verified	Min Dilution	Max Dilution
Immunofluorescence
Western Blotting		1/1000