Dsc3 - desmocollin 3

This gene encodes a member of the cadherin family of proteins that mediates adhesion in desmosomes. Together with desmogleins, the encoded protein forms the transmembrane core of desmosomes, a multiprotein complex involved in cell adhesion, organization of the cytoskeleton, cell sorting and cell signaling. Mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit a pre-implantation lethal phenotype. This gene is located in a cluster of desmosomal cadherin genes on chromosome 18. This gene encodes distinct isoforms, some or all of which may undergo similar processing to generate the mature protein. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2016]