The Role of Desmoglein 1 in Gap Junction Turnover Revealed through the Study of SAM Syndrome

An effective epidermal barrier requires structural and functional integration of adherens junctions, tight junctions, gap junctions (GJ), and desmosomes. Desmosomes govern epidermal integrity while GJs facilitate small molecule transfer across cell membranes. Some patients with severe dermatitis, multiple allergies, and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome, caused by biallelic desmoglein 1 (DSG1) mutations, exhibit skin lesions reminiscent of erythrokeratodermia variabilis, caused by mutations in connexin (Cx) genes. We, therefore, examined whether SAM syndrome-causing DSG1 mutations interfere with Cx expression and GJ function. Lesional skin biopsies from SAM syndrome patients (n = 7) revealed decreased Dsg1 and Cx43 plasma membrane localization compared with control and nonlesional skin. Cultured keratinocytes and organotypic skin equivalents depleted of Dsg1 exhibited reduced Cx43 expression, rescued upon re-introduction of wild-type Dsg1, but not Dsg1 constructs modeling SAM syndrome-causing mutations. Ectopic Dsg1 expression increased cell-cell dye transfer, which Cx43 silencing inhibited, suggesting that Dsg1 promotes GJ function through Cx43. As GJA1 gene expression was not decreased upon Dsg1 loss, we hypothesized that Cx43 reduction was due to enhanced protein degradation. Supporting this, PKC-dependent Cx43 S368 phosphorylation, which signals Cx43 turnover, increased after Dsg1 depletion, while lysosomal inhibition restored Cx43 levels. These data reveal a role for Dsg1 in regulating epidermal Cx43 turnover.