title: Role of Scarf and its binding target proteins in epidermal calcium homeostasis.
abstract: The novel Ca2+-binding protein, Scarf (skin calmodulin-related factor) belongs to the calmodulin-like protein family and is expressed in the differentiated layers of the epidermis. To determine the roles of Scarf during stratification, we set out to identify the binding target proteins by affinity chromatography and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry. Several binding factors, including 14-3-3s, annexins, calreticulin, ERp72 (endoplasmic reticulum protein 72), and nucleolin, were identified, and their interactions with Scarf were corroborated by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization analyses. To further understand the functions of Scarf in epidermis in vivo, we altered the epidermal Ca2+ gradient by acute barrier disruption. The change in the expression levels of Scarf and its binding target proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The expression of Scarf, annexins, calreticulin, and ERp72 were up-regulated by Ca2+ gradient disruption, whereas the expression of 14-3-3s and nucleolin was reduced. Because annexins, calreticulin, and ERp72 have been implicated in Ca2+-induced cellular trafficking, including the secretion of lamellar bodies and Ca2+ homeostasis, we propose that the interaction of Scarf with these proteins might be crucial in the process of barrier restoration. On the other hand, down-regulation of 14-3-3s and nucleolin is potentially involved in the process of keratinocyte differentiation and growth inhibition. The calcium-dependent localization and up-regulation of Scarf and its binding target proteins were studied in mouse keratinocytes treated with ionomycin and during the wound-healing process. We found increased expression and nuclear presence of Scarf in the epidermis of the wound edge 4 and 7 days post-wounding, entailing the role of Scarf in barrier restoration. Our results suggest that Scarf plays a critical role as a Ca2+ sensor, potentially regulating the function of its binding target proteins in a Ca2+-dependent manner in the process of restoration of epidermal Ca2+ gradient as well as during epidermal barrier formation.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Skin Biology Unit, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Joonsung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Developmental Skin Biology Unit, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Alexandr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalinin
authors.affiliation: Developmental Skin Biology Unit, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Meeyul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Facility, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: D Eric
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021.
authors.forename: Olivera
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Stojadinovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York 10021.
authors.forename: Marjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomic-Canic
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 135-720, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Developmental Skin Biology Unit, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Electronic address: morassom@mail.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Morasso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002154:Calpain; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006706:Homeostasis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011485:Protein Binding; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C062477:endoplasmic reticulum glycoprotein p72; C480164:Calm4 protein, mouse; D002154:Calpain; D002118:Calcium