Intermediate filament associated proteins.

Intermediate filament associated proteins (IFAPs) coordinate interactions between intermediate filaments (IFs) and other cytoskeletal elements and organelles, including membrane-associated junctions such as desmosomes and hemidesmosomes in epithelial cells, costameres in striated muscle, and intercalated discs in cardiac muscle. IFAPs thus serve as critical connecting links in the IF scaffolding that organizes the cytoplasm and confers mechanical stability to cells and tissues. However, in recent years it has become apparent that IFAPs are not limited to structural crosslinkers and bundlers but also include chaperones, enzymes, adapters, and receptors. IF networks can therefore be considered scaffolding upon which associated proteins are organized and regulated to control metabolic activities and maintain cell homeostasis.

Hair-cycle-dependent expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein and its type I receptor: evidence for regulation at the anagen to catagen transition.

The humoral hypercalcemia factor parathyroid hormone-related protein is a paracrine-signaling molecule that regulates the development of several organ systems, including the skin. In pathologic circumstances such as hypercalcemia and in development, parathyroid hormone-related protein signaling appears to be mediated by the type I parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor. In order to clarify the role of the ligand and receptor pair in cutaneous biology, gene expression was monitored in a series of murine skin samples ranging from embryonic day 14 to 2 y with in situ hybridization and RNase protection. In all samples, high levels of parathyroid hormone-related protein transcripts were exclusively expressed in the developing and adult hair follicle but were not observed in the interfollicular epidermis. In the adult, parathyroid hormone-related protein mRNA expression was dynamically regulated as a function of the murine hair cycle in a way similar to other signaling molecules that regulate the anagen to catagen transition. PTH receptor transcripts were abundantly expressed in the developing dermis. In the adult skin, PTH receptor mRNA was markedly reduced, but again demonstrated hair-cycle-dependent expression. The dorsal skin of the keratin 14-parathyroid hormone-related protein mouse was used to evaluate the impact of overexpression of the peptide on the murine hair cycle. All types of hair were 30-40% shorter in adult keratin 14-parathyroid hormone-related protein mice as compared with wild-type littermates. This appeared to result from a premature entry into the catagen phase of the hair cycle. Finally, the relationship between parathyroid hormone-related protein signaling and other growth factors that regulate the hair cycle was examined by cross-breeding experiments employing keratin 14-parathyroid hormone-related protein mice and fibroblast growth factor-5-knockout mice. It appears that parathyroid hormone-related protein and fibroblast growth factor-5 regulate the anagen to catagen transition by independent pathways.

Regulation of parathyroid hormone-related protein gene expression by epidermal growth factor-family ligands in primary human keratinocytes.

Cultured primary human keratinocytes were the first non-cancer-derived cell type reported to produce the humoral hypercalcemia factor, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). Emerging evidence suggests that only a subset of keratinocytes produce high levels of PTHrP in vivo. We found that the PTHrP mRNA content of intact human skin was minimal, whereas transcripts were easily detectable in primary keratinocytes derived from those skin samples. We hypothesized that conditions associated with growth in culture activated PTHrP gene expression in primary keratinocytes. In culture, keratinocytes produce a number of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands (transforming growth factor-alpha, heparin binding-EGF and amphiregulin) and their receptor, ErbB1. Treatment of keratinocytes with a specific erbB1 inhibitor (PD153035) reduced PTHrP mRNA levels by >80% in rapidly growing keratinocytes. Treatment of keratinocytes with reagents that neutralize amphiregulin reduced PTHrP mRNA levels by approximately 60%. Blockade of erbB1 signaling reduces transcription from the endogenous PTHrP P3-TATA promoter. The Ets transcription factor-binding site, 40 bases upstream of the P3 promoter, is required for baseline expression of PTHrP reporter gene constructs in keratinocytes; in addition, cotransfection of Ets-1 and Ets-2 expression vectors activate the reporter gene constructs. Finally, disruption of both ras and raf signaling reduce reporter gene expression by 80%, suggesting that ErbB1 signaling is mediated by the classic ras/MAP kinase pathway. These findings suggest that acquisition of EGF-like ligand expression has the potential to substantially activate PTHrP gene expression in the epidermis.

Keratin 2e: a marker for murine nipple epidermis.

Mesenchyme-derived signals influence the unique keratinization and appendage formation programs in specialized skin regions. Interactions between primary mammary mesenchyme and epidermal cells result in the formation of the nipple; however, it is unclear whether this represents a site of regionally specialized epidermis. We profiled the ultrastructure and keratin expression of the murine nipple, and the ventral skin of the K14-parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) transgenic mouse, which models nipple formation. We found the murine nipple and ventral K14-PTHrP epidermis display expanded suprabasal and granular layers, as well as a thickened cornified layer compared to ventral skin of wild-type littermates. We also observed increased levels of filaggrin in extracts from the ventral epidermis of the K14-PTHrP mouse when compared to that of wild-type littermates. Keratin 2e, previously reported to be expressed in various specialized epidermal sites in the mouse, is expressed in the nipple and the ventral skin of the K14-PTHrP mouse. Keratinocytes grown from the ventral epidermis of the K14-PTHrP mouse or wild-type littermates exhibited identical expression of epidermal markers in vitro, suggesting that the modulated differentiation profile observed in the nipple or the ventral K14-PTHrP skin was dependent on interactions with fibroblasts. The lack of appendages, altered stratification pattern and expression of a specialized keratin suggests that the murine nipple is an example of regionally specialized epidermis.