title: The emerging roles of serine protease cascades in the epidermis.
abstract: It has become clear in recent years that serine proteases have an important role in epidermal homeostasis, and the signaling cascades are gradually being identified. For example, matriptase, prostasin and furin are implicated in a cascade that could activate ENaC, leading to epidermal barrier formation and hydration, probably in part through their involvement in filaggrin processing. Kallikreins can form a signaling cascade to coordinate corneocyte desquamation. Knowledge is also emerging about how endogenous inhibitors, calcium and pH control these cascades. It is becoming clear that some skin pathologies are associated with deregulated serine protease activity. Therefore, a deeper knowledge of the regulation of these serine protease cascades could form the basis for development of appropriate treatments for skin disorders such as Netherton syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ovaere
authors.forename: Saskia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lippens
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandenabeele
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Declercq
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D004817:Epidermis / Q000201:enzymology*; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D045683:Furin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007610:Kallikreins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099271:Prostasin
chemical_list: D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D045683:Furin; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D007610:Kallikreins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D000099271:Prostasin; C000717249:FLG protein, human; C485595:matriptase