Regulation of Involucrin Gene Expression

The document reviewed the regulation of involucrin gene expression, a key marker in keratinocyte differentiation. It highlighted the role of transcription factors and signaling cascades, including protein kinase C isoforms, Ras, MEKK1, MEK3, and a p38δ–ERK1/2 complex, in controlling involucrin expression. These factors bind to specific regions of the involucrin promoter, the distal- and proximal-regulatory regions, to regulate gene expression. The review also discussed how various agents like calcium, vitamin A, PKC activators, and antioxidants influence keratinocyte differentiation through these mechanisms. The involucrin gene's regulatory sequences were characterized, revealing essential DNA segments within the upstream-regulatory region necessary for appropriate gene expression.