Desmocollin-3 and Cancer

Desmocollin-3[DSC3] is one of the adhesion molecules of cadher in super family found in desmosome and is a major adhesive force of epithelial cells [1-6]. DSC3 is a transmembrane calcium-dependent glycoprotein produced by the endoplasmic reticulum,encoded by the DSC3 gene. DSC3 is expressed, mainly in basal and immediate suprabasal layers of the stratified squamous epithelia [7] like buccal mucosa, esophagus, cervix, fore skin tongue, trachea etc. [3,8]. As an adhesion molecule, DSC3 provides homophilic adhesion i.e. cells expressing DSC3 will adhere to each other at the site of expression but not with others; it also works as a receptor as well as ligand to participate in cell signaling [9].