title: Predesquamin inhibits desquamation.
abstract: Predesquamin is a Con A binding glycoprotein from human epidermis, with a molecular weight of 650 kDa. Its isolation and characterization are detailed, as well as the preparation of a polyclonal antibody to it. The antibody labels primarily the lower stratum corneum in fluorescent and ultrastructural immunolocalization, both in normal skin and plantar callus. A desquamation model system, in which plantar callus is incubated with the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is refined by substituting for EDTA the Ca(2+)-specific ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Moreover, the shedding activity can be suppressed by raising the Ca2+ concentration. Within this model, it is demonstrated that predesquamin at nanomolar concentrations inhibits squame shedding in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that predesquamin plays an important role in blocking premature desquamation of the lower stratum corneum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Brysk
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santschi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajaraman
mesh_terms: D002146:Bony Callus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D011952:Receptors, Concanavalin A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011952:Receptors, Concanavalin A; C027774:concanavalin A-binding glycoproteins; D010450:Endopeptidases