Anti-Desmosome/Hemidesmosome [F12]

F12 recognizes an unknown polypeptide of desmosomal and hemidesmosomal plaques with a MW of 185 kDa (determined from immunoblotting using bovine tongue epithelium extract as the substrate), and by IEM (immunoelectron microscopy) it was determined that it is the intracellular part of the desmosome that is bound (Gilbert, 1997). F12 shares some immunochemical properties with autoantibodies present in paraneoplastic pemphigus sera. Pemphigus diseases are those resulting in blistering of the skin due to the production of autoantibodies against keratinocyte surface proteins - autoantibodies of patients with pemphius vulgaris recognize desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), a major glycoprotein of the desmosome complex.