This gene encodes a major cytoplasmic protein which is the only known constituent common to submembranous plaques of both desmosomes and intermediate junctions. This protein forms distinct complexes with cadherins and desmosomal cadherins and is a member of the catenin family since it contains a distinct repeating amino acid motif called the armadillo repeat. Mutation in this gene has been associated with Naxos disease. Alternative splicing occurs in this gene; however, not all transcripts have been fully described. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
Forensic Context
A study in human heart samples and mouse models of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy demonstrated that the JUP protein, a desmosome component, exhibits markedly reduced levels and junctional localization in diseased hearts, binds to YAP, and translocates from the cell junction, contributing to pathogenic Hippo pathway activation and adipogenesis [Chen et al. DOI:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.114.302810].