Transglutaminase-1 and Bathing Suit Ichthyosis: Molecular Analysis of Gene/Environment Interactions

The α and β Subunits of the Metalloprotease Meprin Are Expressed in Separate Layers of Human Epidermis, Revealing Different Functions in Keratinocyte Proliferation and Differentiation

The zinc endopeptidase meprin (EC 3.4.24.18) is expressed in brush border membranes of intestine and kidney tubules, intestinal leukocytes, and certain cancer cells, suggesting a role in epithelial differentiation and cell migration. Here we show by RT-PCR and immunoblotting that meprin is also expressed in human skin. As visualized by immunohistochemistry, the two meprin subunits are localized in separate cell layers of the human epidermis. Meprin alpha is expressed in the stratum basale, whereas meprin beta is found in cells of the stratum granulosum just beneath the stratum corneum. In hyperproliferative epidermis such as in psoriasis vulgaris, meprin alpha showed a marked shift of expre…

The protease domain of procollagen C-proteinase (BMP1) lacks substrate selectivity, which is conferred by non-proteolytic domains.

Abstract Procollagen C-proteinase (PCP) removes the C-terminal pro-peptides of procollagens and also processes other matrix proteins. The major splice form of the PCP is termed BMP1 (bone morphogenetic protein 1). Active BMP1 is composed of an astacin-like protease domain, three CUB (complement, sea urchin Uegf, BMP1) domains and one EGF-like domain. Here we compare the recombinant human full-length BMP1 with its isolated proteolytic domain to further unravel the functional influence of the CUB and EGF domains. We show that the protease domain alone cleaves truncated procollagen VII within the short telopeptide region into fragments of similar size as the full-length enzyme does. However, u…