Biomaterial Database

Protein kinase C regulates keratinocyte transglutaminase (TGK) gene expression in cultured primary mouse epidermal keratinocytes induced to terminally differentiate by calcium. 1994

A A Długosz, and S H Yuspa

Laboratory of Cellular Carcinogenesis and Tumor Promotion, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892.

During the final stage of epidermal differentiation, activation of keratinocyte transglutaminase results in covalent crosslinking of a variety of proteins to form highly protective cornified cell envelopes. We have studied the regulation of keratinocyte transglutaminase (TGK) gene expression in murine epidermal keratinocytes induced to terminally differentiate in vitro by increasing the level of extracellular Ca++ or treatment with the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Raising extracellular Ca++ induces squamous differentiation of cultured keratinocytes and elicits a concentration-dependent increase in expression of TGK mRNA; keratinocytes grown for 24 h in 0.12 mM Ca++ medium express approximately 12 times as much TGK mRNA as basal cells (grown in 0.05 mM Ca++ medium), whereas cultures exposed to 1.4 mM Ca++ express approximately 17 times as much. TPA induces squamous differentiation and TGK mRNA even in basal keratinocyte cultures grown in 0.05 mM Ca++ medium, suggesting that expression of this differentiation marker is regulated by the PKC signaling pathway. Induction of TGK mRNA in response to TPA treatment is transient, reaching a peak at 6-8 h and returning to baseline by 24 h. In contrast, elevation of TGK mRNA levels in response to Ca++ persists for at least 24 h. The increased abundance of TGK mRNA reflects increased transcription of the TGK gene, based on nuclear run-on analysis of Ca(++)- and TPA-treated keratinocytes. Induction of TGK mRNA by either TPA or Ca++ is blocked in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting that a PKC-dependent protein factor is required for TGK gene expression in response to both stimuli. Furthermore, the accumulation of TGK mRNA in keratinocytes treated with TPA or Ca++ is blocked in cells treated with the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X or bryostatin. These results suggest that the induction of TGK gene expression by Ca++ is dependent on PKC, providing further support for the hypothesis that PKC plays a central role in regulating the late stages of epidermal differentiation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008807	Mice, Inbred BALB C	An inbred strain of mouse that is widely used in IMMUNOLOGY studies and cancer research.	BALB C Mice, Inbred,BALB C Mouse, Inbred,Inbred BALB C Mice,Inbred BALB C Mouse,Mice, BALB C,Mouse, BALB C,Mouse, Inbred BALB C,BALB C Mice,BALB C Mouse
D011493	Protein Kinase C	An serine-threonine protein kinase that requires the presence of physiological concentrations of CALCIUM and membrane PHOSPHOLIPIDS. The additional presence of DIACYLGLYCEROLS markedly increases its sensitivity to both calcium and phospholipids. The sensitivity of the enzyme can also be increased by PHORBOL ESTERS and it is believed that protein kinase C is the receptor protein of tumor-promoting phorbol esters.	Calcium Phospholipid-Dependent Protein Kinase,Calcium-Activated Phospholipid-Dependent Kinase,PKC Serine-Threonine Kinase,Phospholipid-Sensitive Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase,Protein Kinase M,Calcium Activated Phospholipid Dependent Kinase,Calcium Phospholipid Dependent Protein Kinase,PKC Serine Threonine Kinase,Phospholipid Sensitive Calcium Dependent Protein Kinase,Phospholipid-Dependent Kinase, Calcium-Activated,Serine-Threonine Kinase, PKC
D011503	Transglutaminases	Transglutaminases catalyze cross-linking of proteins at a GLUTAMINE in one chain with LYSINE in another chain. They include keratinocyte transglutaminase (TGM1 or TGK), tissue transglutaminase (TGM2 or TGC), plasma transglutaminase involved with coagulation (FACTOR XIII and FACTOR XIIIa), hair follicle transglutaminase, and prostate transglutaminase. Although structures differ, they share an active site (YGQCW) and strict CALCIUM dependence.	Glutaminyl-Peptide Gamma-Glutamyltransferases,Protein-Glutamine gamma-Glutamyltransferases,Transglutaminase,Gamma-Glutamyltransferases, Glutaminyl-Peptide,Glutaminyl Peptide Gamma Glutamyltransferases,Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferases,gamma-Glutamyltransferases, Protein-Glutamine
D011506	Proteins	Linear POLYPEPTIDES that are synthesized on RIBOSOMES and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of AMINO ACIDS determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during PROTEIN FOLDING, and the function of the protein.	Gene Products, Protein,Gene Proteins,Protein,Protein Gene Products,Proteins, Gene
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002478	Cells, Cultured	Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others.	Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D004789	Enzyme Activation	Conversion of an inactive form of an enzyme to one possessing metabolic activity. It includes 1, activation by ions (activators); 2, activation by cofactors (coenzymes); and 3, conversion of an enzyme precursor (proenzyme or zymogen) to an active enzyme.	Activation, Enzyme,Activations, Enzyme,Enzyme Activations
D000078404	Epidermal Cells	Cells from the outermost, non-vascular layer (EPIDERMIS) of the skin.	Epidermal Cell,Epidermic Cells,Cell, Epidermal,Cell, Epidermic,Cells, Epidermic,Epidermic Cell
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012333	RNA, Messenger	RNA sequences that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Bacterial mRNAs are generally primary transcripts in that they do not require post-transcriptional processing. Eukaryotic mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Most eukaryotic mRNAs have a sequence of polyadenylic acid at the 3' end, referred to as the poly(A) tail. The function of this tail is not known for certain, but it may play a role in the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus as well as in helping stabilize some mRNA molecules by retarding their degradation in the cytoplasm.	Messenger RNA,Messenger RNA, Polyadenylated,Poly(A) Tail,Poly(A)+ RNA,Poly(A)+ mRNA,RNA, Messenger, Polyadenylated,RNA, Polyadenylated,mRNA,mRNA, Non-Polyadenylated,mRNA, Polyadenylated,Non-Polyadenylated mRNA,Poly(A) RNA,Polyadenylated mRNA,Non Polyadenylated mRNA,Polyadenylated Messenger RNA,Polyadenylated RNA,RNA, Polyadenylated Messenger,mRNA, Non Polyadenylated