Abstract: Objective To investigate the autoantigen epitopes in paraneoplastic pemphigus （PNP）. Methods Serum samples were collected from 12 patients with PNP, 12 with pemphigus vulgaris, 12 with pemphigus foliaceus, 12 with bullous pemphigus and 20 normal controls. Immunoblotting was performed using recombinant fused proteins including envoplakin, periplakin, desmoplakin and BPAG1. Twelve peptides covering the linker subdomain of envoplakin were synthesized for ELISA and dot blotting to delineate the epitopes in this region. Results The recombinant linker subdomains of envoplakin, periplakin, desmoplakin and BPAG1 were recognized by 11, 11, 7 and 9 of the 12 sera from PNP patients, respectively. As shown by ELISA, all the 12 peptides demonstrated different specificity and affinity to PNP sera，and most of the results were consistent between dot blotting and ELISA. There were specific antigen epitopes in the linker subdomain of envoplakin from site 1738 to 1757, which could be recognized by the sera from PNP patients. Conclusion Specific antigen epitopes of PNP are present in the linker subdomain of envoplakin.