title: The cornified envelope: a model of cell death in the skin.
abstract: The epidermis functions as a barrier against the environment by means of several layers of terminally differentiated, dead keratinocytes - the cornified layer, which forms the endpoint of epidermal differentiation and death. The cornified envelope replaces the plasma membrane of differentiating keratinocytes and consists of keratins that are enclosed within an insoluble amalgam of proteins, which are crosslinked by transglutaminases and surrounded by a lipid envelope. New insights into the molecular mechanisms and the physiological endpoints of cornification are increasing our understanding of the pathological defects of this unique form of programmed cell death, which is associated with barrier malfunctions and ichthyosis.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Laboratory, IDI-IRCCS, c/o Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Candi
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C064554:loricrin; C032253:involucrin; D011503:Transglutaminases