Abstract
The epidermis, the outer layer of the skin composed of keratinocytes, is a stratified epithelium that functions as a barrier to protect the organism from dehydration and external insults. The epidermis develops following the action of the transcription factor p63, amember of the p53 family of transcription factors. The Trp63 gene contains two promoters driving the production of distinct proteins, one with an N-terminal transactivation domain (TAp63) and one without (DeltaNp63), although their relative contribution to epidermal development is not clearly established. Trp63 mutations are involved in the pathogenesis of several human diseases, phenotypically characterized by ectodermal dysplasia. In this review, we summarize the current advances that have been made in understanding the role of p63 in epidermal morphogenesis.
Highlights
The epidermis is a multilayered, stratified epithelium that provides a physical barrier for the organism, protecting it from dehydration and a variety of environmental insults
The epidermis, the outer layer of the skin composed of keratinocytes, is a stratified epithelium that functions as a barrier to protect the organism from dehydration and external insults
The epidermis is continuously regenerated by mitotically active keratinocytes that reside in the inner basal layer and which, following detachment from the basement membrane, migrate to the outer cornified layer: this process is called cornification [1]
Summary
The epidermis is a multilayered, stratified epithelium that provides a physical barrier for the organism, protecting it from dehydration and a variety of environmental insults. Like the other members of the p53 family, p63 is expressed from two different promoters, P1 and P2, that generate two classes of proteins, TAp63, which contains the N-terminal transactivation (TA) domain, and the N-terminal truncated ( Np63) isoform, which lacks this transactivation domain (Fig. 1B) [8,9]. At embryonic day E9.5, stratification occurs with the formation of the periderm around the upper limb buds and the expression of the stratification markers, K5 and K14 At this stage, the developing outer layer of the embryo exhibits barrier function [18]. P63 target genes relevant in epidermal formation and differentiation While it is indisputable that the p63 gene plays a master role in epidermal development, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of the development and maintenance of the epidermis are still under investigation. Np63 can transactivate IKK only indirectly via GATA-3 (Fig. 2)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
