A component of desmosome cell-cell junctions which are required for positive regulation of cellular adhesion (PubMed:17559062, PubMed:38395410). Involved in the interaction of plaque proteins and intermediate filaments mediating cell-cell adhesion. Required for proliferation and viability of embryonic stem cells in the blastocyst, thereby crucial for progression of post-implantation embryonic development (By similarity). Maintains pluripotency by regulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition/mesenchymal to epithelial transition (EMT/MET) via interacting with and sequestering CTNNB1 to sites of cell-cell contact, thereby reducing translocation of CTNNB1 to the nucleus and subsequent transcription of CTNNB1/TCF-target genes (PubMed:29910125). Promotes pluripotency and the multi-lineage differentiation potential of hematopoietic stem cells (PubMed:27338829). Plays a role in endothelial cell sprouting and elongation via mediating the junctional-association of cortical actin fibers and CDH5 (PubMed:27338829). Promotes cardiomyocyte cell homeostasis and desmosome junction formation at intercalated disks, as a result plays a role in the maintenance of cardiac conduction and heart chamber integrity (By similarity). Positively regulates pancreatic islet development and maintenance of endothelial cell barrier integrity in the pancreas, therefore involved in the controlled release of insulin from islet cells into the circulation in response to glucose (By similarity). Plays a role in limiting inflammatory infiltration and the apoptotic response to injury in kidney tubular epithelial cells, potentially via its role in maintaining cell-cell adhesion and the epithelial barrier (PubMed:38395410). Acts as a positive modulator of CSK and EGFR activation via sequestering them away from lipid rafts, this is independent of its role in desmosome cell junctions (PubMed:26918609). Also disrupts the localization of CAV1 to lipid rafts resulting in its distribution throughout the cytoplasm (PubMed:26918609). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:O55111, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17559062, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26918609, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27338829, ECO:0000269|PubMed:29910125, ECO:0000269|PubMed:38395410}. (Microbial infection) Required for fiber protein-mediated Human Adenovirus 55 and 14a infection; via its interaction with fiber protein. . This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000046604 (DSG2, desmoglein 2).