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Peled A, Sprecher E. Proteolytic and Antiproteolytic Activity in the Skin: Gluing the Pieces Together. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:466-473. [PMID: 37865898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Epidermal differentiation is ultimately aimed at the formation of a functional barrier capable of protecting the organism from the environment while preventing loss of biologically vital elements. Epidermal differentiation entails a delicately regulated process of cell-cell junction formation and dissolution to enable upward cell migration and desquamation. Over the past two decades, the deciphering of the genetic basis of a number of inherited conditions has delineated the pivotal role played in this process by a series of proteases and protease inhibitors, including serpins, cathepsins, and cystatins, suggesting novel avenues for therapeutic intervention in both rare and common disorders of cornification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alon Peled
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eli Sprecher
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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2
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Wang X, Liu J, Chen J, Xu X, Zhong Y, Xu Y, Lu P, Zhou J, Lin Z, Yang B, Yang C. Loss-of-function mutations in CST6 cause dry skin, desquamation and abnormal keratosis without hypotrichosis. Clin Genet 2023; 103:301-309. [PMID: 36371786 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cystatin M/E (encoded by the CST6 gene) is a cysteine protease inhibitor, that exerts regulatory and protective effects against uncontrolled proteolysis mainly by directly regulating cathepsin V, cathepsin L, and legumain activities. Previous studies have suggested that CST6 may exert a regulatory role in epidermal differentiation and hair follicle formation by inhibiting the activity of respective cognate target proteases. However, until recently, studies have revealed that loss- or gain-of-function of the CST6 gene causes dry skin with hypotrichosis in humans. Here, we reported two siblings of Chinese origin with dry skin, desquamation and abnormal keratosis without hypotrichosis. By applying whole-exome sequencing, we identified homozygous loss-of-function mutation c.251G > A (p.Gly84Asp) in the CST6 gene as the underlying genetic cause. Further fluorimetric enzyme assays demonstrated the mutant cystatin M/E protein lost its inhibitory function on the protease activity of cathepsins. Moreover, the corresponding mutation in mice resulted in excessive cornification, desquamation, impaired skin barrier function, and abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes. In conclusion, the homozygous missense mutation c.251G > A in CST6 gene resulted in dry skin, desquamation, as well as abnormal keratosis of the skin, promoting our understanding of the role of protease-antiprotease balance in human skin disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyi Chen
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueyan Xu
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yadan Zhong
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingping Xu
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Lu
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiajian Zhou
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhimiao Lin
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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3
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Molecular Pathway-Based Classification of Ectodermal Dysplasias: First Five-Yearly Update. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122327. [PMID: 36553593 PMCID: PMC9778228 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To keep pace with the rapid advancements in molecular genetics and rare diseases research, we have updated the list of ectodermal dysplasias based on the latest classification approach that was adopted in 2017 by an international panel of experts. For this purpose, we searched the databases PubMed and OMIM for the term "ectodermal dysplasia", referring mainly to changes in the last 5 years. We also tried to obtain information about those diseases on which the last scientific report appeared more than 15 years ago by contacting the authors of the most recent publication. A group of experts, composed of researchers who attended the 8th International Conference on Ectodermal Dysplasias and additional members of the previous classification panel, reviewed the proposed amendments and agreed on a final table listing all 49 currently known ectodermal dysplasias for which the molecular genetic basis has been clarified, including 15 new entities. A newly reported ectodermal dysplasia, linked to the gene LRP6, is described here in more detail. These ectodermal dysplasias, in the strict sense, should be distinguished from syndromes with features of ectodermal dysplasia that are related to genes extraneous to the currently known pathways involved in ectodermal development. The latter group consists of 34 syndromes which had been placed on the previous list of ectodermal dysplasias, but most if not all of them could actually be classified elsewhere. This update should streamline the classification of ectodermal dysplasias, provide guidance to the correct diagnosis of rare disease entities, and facilitate the identification of individuals who could benefit from novel treatment options.
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Sotiropoulou G, Zingkou E, Pampalakis G. Reconstructing the epidermal proteolytic cascades in health and disease. J Pathol 2022; 257:545-560. [PMID: 35218558 DOI: 10.1002/path.5888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The epidermis is the outer stratified epithelium of the skin, forming the physical barrier that is indispensable for homeostasis. Epidermal proteolysis, mainly but not exclusively executed by kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs), is tightly regulated to ensure maintenance of physiological skin renewal and an intact skin barrier. Perturbation of epidermal proteolytic networks is implicated in a wide array of rare and common skin pathologies of diverse genetic backgrounds. Recent studies of monogenic human skin diseases and newly developed animal models have revealed new mechanisms of regulation of proteolytic pathways in epidermal physiology and in disease states. These new data have challenged some accepted views, for example the role of matriptase in epidermal desquamation, which turned out to be restricted to mouse skin. The significance of PAR2 signaling in skin inflammation should also be reconsidered in the face of recent findings. Cumulatively, recent studies necessitate a sophisticated redefinition of the proteolytic and signaling pathways that operate in human skin. We elaborate how epidermal proteolysis is finely regulated at multiple levels, and in a spatial manner that was not taken into consideration so far, in which specific proteases are confined to distinct epidermal sublayers. Of interest, transglutaminases have emerged as regulators of epidermal proteolysis and desquamation by spatially fixing endogenous protease inhibitors, constituting regulatory factors that were not recognized before. Furthermore, new evidence suggests a link between proteolysis and lipid metabolism. By synthesis of established notions and recent discoveries, we provide an up-to-date critical parathesis of current knowledge and the extended complexity of proteolysis regulation and signaling pathways in skin. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Sotiropoulou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 265 04, Greece
| | - Eleni Zingkou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Rion-Patras, 265 04, Greece
| | - Georgios Pampalakis
- Department of Pharmacology-Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 541 24, Greece
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Eckl KM, Gruber R, Brennan L, Marriott A, Plank R, Moosbrugger-Martinz V, Blunder S, Schossig A, Altmüller J, Thiele H, Nürnberg P, Zschocke J, Hennies HC, Schmuth M. Cystatin M/E Variant Causes Autosomal Dominant Keratosis Follicularis Spinulosa Decalvans by Dysregulating Cathepsins L and V. Front Genet 2021; 12:689940. [PMID: 34322157 PMCID: PMC8312243 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.689940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (KFSD) is a rare cornification disorder with an X-linked recessive inheritance in most cases. Pathogenic variants causing X-linked KFSD have been described in MBTPS2, the gene for a membrane-bound zinc metalloprotease that is involved in the cleavage of sterol regulatory element binding proteins important for the control of transcription. Few families have been identified with an autosomal dominant inheritance of KFSD. We present two members of an Austrian family with a phenotype of KFSD, a mother and her son. The disease was not observed in her parents, pointing to a dominant inheritance with a de novo mutation in the index patient. Using whole-exome sequencing, we identified a heterozygous missense variant in CST6 in DNA samples from the index patient and her affected son. In line with family history, the variant was not present in samples from her parents. CST6 codes for cystatin M/E, a cysteine protease inhibitor. Patient keratinocytes showed increased expression of cathepsin genes CTSL and CTSV and reduced expression of transglutaminase genes TGM1 and TGM3. A relative gain of active, cleaved transglutaminases was found in patient keratinocytes compared to control cells. The variant found in CST6 is expected to affect protein targeting and results in marked disruption of the balance between cystatin M/E activity and its target proteases and eventually transglutaminases 1 and 3. This disturbance leads to an impairment of terminal epidermal differentiation and proper hair shaft formation seen in KFSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja M Eckl
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Gruber
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Louise Brennan
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Marriott
- Department of Biology, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, United Kingdom
| | - Roswitha Plank
- Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.,Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Stefan Blunder
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Schossig
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Janine Altmüller
- Cologne Center for Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Cologne University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Holger Thiele
- Cologne Center for Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Cologne University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Cologne University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Johannes Zschocke
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hans Christian Hennies
- Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.,Cologne Center for Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Cologne University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmuth
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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6
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Cystatin M/E (Cystatin 6): A Janus-Faced Cysteine Protease Inhibitor with Both Tumor-Suppressing and Tumor-Promoting Functions. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081877. [PMID: 33919854 PMCID: PMC8070812 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alongside its contribution in maintaining skin homeostasis and its probable involvement in fetal and placental development, cystatin M/E (also known as cystatin 6) was first described as a tumor suppressor of breast cancer. This review aims to provide an update on cystatin M/E with particular attention paid to its role during tumorigenesis. Cystatin M/E, which is related to type 2 cystatins, displays the unique property of being a dual tight-binding inhibitor of both legumain (also known as asparagine endopeptidase) and cysteine cathepsins L, V and B, while its expression level is epigenetically regulated via the methylation of the CST6 promoter region. The tumor-suppressing role of cystatin M/E was further reported in melanoma, cervical, brain, prostate, gastric and renal cancers, and cystatin M/E was proposed as a biomarker of prognostic significance. Contrariwise, cystatin M/E could have an antagonistic function, acting as a tumor promoter (e.g., oral, pancreatic cancer, thyroid and hepatocellular carcinoma). Taking into account these apparently divergent functions, there is an urgent need to decipher the molecular and cellular regulatory mechanisms of the expression and activity of cystatin M/E associated with the safeguarding homeostasis of the proteolytic balance as well as its imbalance in cancer.
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Mohamad J, Samuelov L, Malki L, Peled A, Pavlovsky M, Malovitski K, Taiber S, Adir N, Rabinowitz T, Shomron N, Milner JD, Lestringant G, Sarig O, Sprecher E. Palmoplantar keratoderma caused by a missense variant in CTSB encoding cathepsin B. Clin Exp Dermatol 2020; 46:103-108. [PMID: 32683719 DOI: 10.1111/ced.14384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) refers to a large group of disorders characterized by extensive genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity. PPK diagnosis therefore increasingly relies upon genetic analysis. AIM To delineate the genetic defect underlying a case of diffuse erythematous PPK associated with peeling of the skin. METHODS Whole exome and direct sequencing, real-time quantitative PCR, protein modelling and a cathepsin B enzymatic assay were used. RESULTS The patient studied had severe diffuse erythematous PPK transgrediens. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Whole exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous missense mutation in the CTSB gene, encoding the cysteine protease cathepsin B. Genomic duplications in a noncoding region, which regulates the expression of CTSB, were recently found to cause erythrokeratolysis hiemalis, a rare autosomal dominant disorder of cornification. This mutation affects a highly conserved residue, and is predicted to be pathogenic. Protein modelling indicated that the mutation is likely to lead to increased endopeptidase cathepsin B activity. Accordingly, the CTSB variant was found to result in increased cathepsin B proteolytic activity. CONCLUSION In summary, we report the identification of the first gain-of-function missense mutation in CTSB, which was found to be associated in one individual with a dominant form of diffuse PPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mohamad
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - L Samuelov
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - L Malki
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Peled
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Pavlovsky
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - K Malovitski
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - S Taiber
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - N Adir
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - T Rabinowitz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - N Shomron
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - J D Milner
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - G Lestringant
- Consultant Dermatologist (retired), British Ministry of Defence, London, UK
| | - O Sarig
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - E Sprecher
- Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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