Type II Keratins Are Phosphorylated on a Unique Motif During Stress and Mitosis in Tissues and Cultured Cells

June 2002 in “ Molecular Biology of the Cell ”

Diana M. Toivola, Qin Zhou, Luc S. English, M. Bishr Omary

type II keratins keratin phosphorylation LLS/TPL motif keratin solubilization filament reorganization proline-directed kinases p38 MAP kinase mitosis apoptosis psoriatic skin squamous cell carcinoma keratinocyte stress response mitogenic signaling skin-related diseases

Studysummary This study found that type II keratins in proliferating epithelial tissues are phosphorylated at a conserved motif during mitosis and stress, impacting keratin solubilization and reorganization. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study explored the phosphorylation of type II keratins (K4, K5, K6, and K8) on a conserved LLS/TPL motif during stress and mitosis, revealing its significance in keratin solubilization and filament reorganization. This phosphorylation, mediated by proline-directed kinases like p38 MAP kinase, was observed in conditions such as mitosis, apoptosis, and stress, including in psoriatic skin and squamous cell carcinoma. The research underscored the motif's role in keratinocyte stress response and mitogenic signaling, offering insights into the pathology of skin-related diseases.

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