A nuclear function for plakophilin-1 in the DNA damage response

Abstract

Plakophilins are proteins of the desmosomal plaque. Based on the observation that plakophilins localize not only to desmosomes but also to the cytoplasm and nucleus, additional functions in cell signaling have been proposed. In this issue, Sobolik-Delmaire et al. address the nuclear function of Plakophilin-1. The authors show that Plakophilin-1 interacts with ssDNA in vitro and may have a function in protecting cells from DNA damage. © 2010 The Society for Investigative Dermatology.