title: Transcription of the caspase-14 gene in human epidermal keratinocytes requires AP-1 and NFkappaB.
abstract: Caspase-14, a protease involved in skin barrier formation, is specifically expressed in epidermal keratinocytes (KCs). Here, we mapped three start sites of transcription of the human caspase-14 gene and analyzed the upstream chromosomal region for promoter activity. Reporter gene assays identified a core promoter region proximal to the first exon and a distal regulatory region which differentially suppressed promoter activity in KC and other cells. Sequence elements in the proximal promoter were bound by the transcription factors AP-1 (JunB, c-Jun, JunD, Fra-1 and Fra-2) and NFkappaB (p50 and RelB). Our data reveal the basic organization of the human caspase-14 promoter and suggest an important role of AP-1 and NFkappaB in the transcriptional control of caspase-14.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ballaun
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karner
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mrass
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mildner
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchberger
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ban
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harant
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tschachler
authors.forename: Leopold
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eckhart
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D053456:Caspase 14 / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000201:enzymology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D053456:Caspase 14