title: Transglutaminase-3 enzyme: a putative actor in human hair shaft scaffolding?
abstract: The family of transglutaminases (TGase) is known to be involved in terminal differentiation processes in the epidermis. These enzymes contribute also to the physical resistance and the preservation of the hair follicle structure. Our particular interest in hair fiber keratinization led us to focus on the TGase 3, exclusively expressed in the hair shaft. To date its function is still to be elucidated, thus we have developed a multidisciplinary approach in order to define the localization, activity, and substrates of TGase 3. The hair fiber is characterized by the expression of specific proteins essentially consisting of keratin intermediate filaments and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs), which are essential for the formation of a rigid hair shaft through their extensive disulfide cross-links. Gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry experiments revealed an unexpected protein migration pattern, suggesting the existence of covalent interactions other than disulfide bonds. Western blot and amino-acid analysis revealed the presence of gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine isopeptide linkages that could constitute this second covalent network. Our hypothesis is that TGase 3-driven specific isopeptide bonds between intermediate filaments and KAPs participate to the progressive scaffolding of the hair shaft.
authors: L'OREAL Recherche, Clichy, France.
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Thibaut
authors: Nükhet
authors: N
authors: Cavusoglu
authors: Emmanuelle
authors: E
authors: de Becker
authors: Franck
authors: F
authors: Zerbib
authors: Audrey
authors: A
authors: Bednarczyk
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Schaeffer
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: van Dorsselaer
authors: Bruno A
authors: BA
authors: Bernard
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000378:metabolism; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D006197:Hair / Q000201:enzymology*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000378:metabolism; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D012535:Scalp / Q000166:cytology; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D007633:Keratins; C498712:TGM3 protein, human; D011503:Transglutaminases