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Journal article

Orchestrated control of filaggrin–actin scaffolds underpins cornification

Abstract:
Epidermal stratification critically depends on keratinocyte differentiation and programmed death by cornification, leading to formation of a protective skin barrier. Cornification is dynamically controlled by the protein filaggrin, rapidly released from keratohyalin granules (KHGs). However, the mechanisms of cornification largely remain elusive, partly due to limitations of the observation techniques employed to study filaggrin organization in keratinocytes. Moreover, while the abundance of keratins within KHGs has been well described, it is not clear whether actin also contributes to their formation or fate. We employed advanced (super-resolution) microscopy to examine filaggrin organization and dynamics in skin and human keratinocytes during differentiation. We found that filaggrin organization depends on the cytoplasmic actin cytoskeleton, including the role for α- and β-actin scaffolds. Filaggrin-containing KHGs displayed high mobility and migrated toward the nucleus during differentiation. Pharmacological disruption targeting actin networks resulted in granule disintegration and accelerated cornification. We identified the role of AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), which controls binding preference and function of heat shock protein B1 (HspB1), facilitating the switch from actin stabilization to filaggrin processing. Our results suggest an extended model of cornification in which filaggrin utilizes actins to effectively control keratinocyte differentiation and death, promoting epidermal stratification and formation of a fully functional skin barrier.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41419-018-0407-2

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
RDM
Sub department:
RDM - Investigative Medicine Division
Oxford college:
Somerville College
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
RDM; RDM - Investigative Medicine Division
Role:
Author



Publisher:
Nature Publishing Group
Journal:
Cell Death and Disease More from this journal
Volume:
9
Issue:
2018
Pages:
412
Publication date:
2018-03-15
Acceptance date:
2018-02-08
DOI:
EISSN:
2041-4889
ISSN:
2041-4889


Pubs id:
pubs:829789
UUID:
uuid:31b9c8b3-d0e2-4630-82f6-2262d19814cd
Local pid:
pubs:829789
Source identifiers:
829789
Deposit date:
2018-03-15

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