Perp is a p63-regulated gene essential for epithelial integrity.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2005
First Page
843
Last Page
856
JAX Source
Cell 2005 Mar; 120(6):843-56
Abstract
p63 is a master regulator of stratified epithelial development that is both necessary and sufficient for specifying this multifaceted program. We show here that Perp, a tetraspan membrane protein originally identified as an apoptosis-associated target of the p53 tumor suppressor, is the first direct target of p63 clearly involved in mediating this developmental program in vivo. During embryogenesis, Perp is expressed in an epithelial pattern, and its expression depends on p63. Perp-/- mice die postnatally, with dramatic blistering in stratified epithelia symptomatic of compromised adhesion. Perp localizes specifically to desmosomes, adhesion junctions important for tissue integrity, and numerous structural defects in desmosomes are observed in Perp-deficient skin, suggesting a role for Perp in promoting the stable assembly of desmosomal adhesive complexes. These findings demonstrate that Perp is a key effector in the p63 developmental program, playing an essential role in an adhesion subprogram central to epithelial integrity and homeostasis.
Recommended Citation
Ihrie RA,
Marques MR,
Nguyen BT,
Horner JS,
Papazoglu C,
Bronson RT,
Mills AA,
Attardi LD.
Perp is a p63-regulated gene essential for epithelial integrity. Cell 2005 Mar; 120(6):843-56