Pannexin 3 Regulates Skin Development via Epiprofin

The study investigated the role of Pannexin 3 (Panx3), a gap junction protein, in skin development and hair follicle regeneration, focusing on its interaction with the transcription factor Epiprofin (Epfn). Panx3 knockout mice displayed impaired skin development, characterized by a thinner epidermis and delayed hair follicle regeneration. In vitro experiments showed that overexpression of Panx3 in keratinocyte cells led to increased differentiation and cell cycle exit, as well as enhanced Epfn expression. The study revealed that Panx3 promotes keratinocyte differentiation through the Akt/NFAT signaling pathway by functioning as an ATP releasing channel and an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca²+ channel. It was also found that Panx3 acts upstream of Epfn, as Epfn deletion did not affect Panx3 expression. The findings suggest that Panx3's role as an ER Ca²+ channel is crucial in regulating Epfn expression and subsequent keratinocyte differentiation. The specific number of subjects used in the study was not mentioned.