Epidermal differentiation and keratin gene expression.
The epidermis of the skin is a stratified squamous epithelium, which plays an important protective role. It manifests this role by building an extensive cytoskeletal architecture, the unique feature of which is the presence of keratin filaments. There are two major pairs of keratins in the epidermis: one pair is expressed in dividing cells and the other expressed in terminally differentiating cells. As such, keratins provide useful biochemical markers to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the balance between growth and differentiation in the epidermis. Here, I review what is currently known about epidermal growth and differentiation, and how an understanding of keratin gene expression has been useful in elucidating regulatory pathways in the skin.
Fuchs
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, IL 60637.
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D015870:Gene Expression; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000235:genetics*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D012176:Retinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
C496453:FGF7 protein, human; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D006133:Growth Substances; D012176:Retinoids; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007633:Keratins; D004247:DNA; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D002118:Calcium