The Role of Nkx2.5 in Keratinocyte Differentiation.
- Author:
Chul HWANG
1
;
Sunhyae JANG
;
Dae Kyoung CHOI
;
Sujong KIM
;
Joong Hwa LEE
;
Young LEE
;
Chang Deok KIM
;
Jeung Hoon LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Keratinocyte differentiation; Nkx2.5; Transcription factor
- MeSH: Blotting, Western; Calcium; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Dermatitis, Atopic; Epidermis; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratinocytes; Leukemia; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Proteins; Psoriasis; Skin; Skin Diseases; Transcription Factors
- From:Annals of Dermatology 2009;21(4):376-381
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nkx2.5 is a homeodomain-containing nuclear transcription protein that has been associated with acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia. In addition, Nkx2.5 has an essential role in cardiomyogenesis. However, the expression of Nkx2.5 in the skin has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: In an attempt to screen the differentially regulated genes involved in keratinocyte differentiation, using a cDNA microarray, we identified Nkx2.5 as one of the transcription factors controlling the expression of proteins associated with keratinocyte differentiation. METHODS: To investigate the expression of Nkx2.5 during keratinocyte differentiation, we used a calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation model. RESULTS: RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of Nkx2.5, in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes, increased with calcium treatment in a time-dependent manner. In normal skin tissue, the expression of Nkx2.5 was detected in the nuclei of the keratinocytes in all layers of the epidermis except the basal layer by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the expression of Nkx2.5 was significantly increased in psoriasis and squamous cell carcinoma, but was barely detected in atopic dermatitis and basal cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Nkx2.5 may play a role in the change from proliferation to differentiation of keratinocytes and in the pathogenesis of skin disease with aberrant keratinocyte differentiation.
