Signal transduction pathways in human epidermis.
Cytokines, hormones and other signaling molecules regulate a number of diverse biological processes in the skin including the control of cell growth, differentiation, homeostasis, and various immune functions. This review describes the fundamental concepts of signaling in the cell and we discuss more thoroughly selected signaling pathways important in the skin. Fundamentally cellular signaling can be mediated through two different signaling mechanisms: 1) through binding to a receptor at the outer surface of the cellular-membrane and a subsequent activation of a signal transduction cascade. 2) through binding to nuclear receptors and subsequent regulation of gene-transcription. Changes in the signaling apparatus in the cell play a key role in the pathogenesis of a number of different skin diseases and a better understanding of these different signaling pathways may therefore offer new therapeutic targets.
Iversen
Lars
L
Dept of Dermatology, University Hospital of Aarhus, PP Orumsgade 11, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. larsiversen@dadlnet.dk
Johansen
Claus
C
Kragballe
Knud
K
D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014157:Transcription Factors; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases