Transcription of the caspase-14 gene in human epidermal keratinocytes requires AP-1 and NFkappaB.
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.
Ballaun
Claudia
C
Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Karner
Susanne
S
Mrass
Paul
P
Mildner
Michael
M
Buchberger
Maria
M
Bach
Jürgen
J
Ban
Jozef
J
Harant
Hanna
H
Tschachler
Erwin
E
Eckhart
Leopold
L
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
D016328:NF-kappa B; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D053456:Caspase 14