Are desmosomes more than tethers for intermediate filaments?

Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions that anchor intermediate fi laments at membrane-associated plaques in adjoining cells, thereby forming a three-dimensional supracellular scaffolding that provides tissues with me chanical strength. But desmosomes have also recently been recognized as sen sors that respond to environmental and cellular cues by modulating their as sembly state and, possibly, their signalling functions.