Figure 7 shows an absence or reduced expression of desmocollin-2 and desmoglein-2 expression in cells lines in which plakoglobin levels were low. To determine the relationship between the levels of desmosomal proteins and plakoglobin, we analysed the expression levels of desmoglein-2 in the control and plakoglobin transfectants of each bladder carcinoma cell recipient. As shown in Figure 8, the expression levels of desmoglein-2 increased in EJ plakoglobin transfectants but remained undetected in J82 control and plakoglobin transfectants (data not shown). The gene discussed is DSG2; the disease is urinary bladder carcinoma.