Keratins are the most abundant proteins in surface epithelia, in which they occur as a cytoplasmic network of 10 nm wide intermediate filaments (IFs). Keratins are encoded by an evolutionarily conserved multigene family, with 54 individual members subdivided into two major types (I and II). The pairwise regulation of type I and type II keratin genes in epithelia reflects a strict heteropolymerization requirement. In addition, keratin genes are regulated in an epithelial tissue-type and differentiation-specific fashion, the functional basis of which is only partly understood. A major role fulfilled by keratin IFs in vivo s to act as a resilient scaffold that endows epithelial cells with the ability to sustain mechanical and non-mechanical stresses. Inherited mutations affecting the coding sequence of keratins account for a large number of epithelial fragility disorders. Several additional functions, which are non-mechanical in nature and manifested in a keratin- and context-dependent fashion, have been identified by us and other researchers in recent years. Here we seek to further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the structural support function of keratins by focusing on Krt5-Krt14 filaments, which occur in progenitor basal keratinocytes of epidermis and are causally mutated in the disease Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex (EBS). During the last period of support we investigated the remarkable property of self-organization of Krt5-Krt14 filaments, in vitro and in vivo, and succeeded in crystallizing, for the first time, a portion of te interacting Krt5-Krt14 rod domains. The resulting atomic structure revealed a role for disulfide binding in organizing Krt5-Krt14 IFs into a perinuclear cage in epidermal keratinocytes, with an impact on the size and shape of the nucleus. Going forward we posit that the Krt5-Krt14 pairing is amenable to further crystallization and structure determination (we already determined a second Krt5-Krt14 structure), with unprecedented insight for keratin IF properties and its defect in EBS and related genodermatoses. Moreover, we also posit that intracellular, inter-keratin disulfide bonding represents a major mechanism to regulate the organization of keratin IFs in vivo, determine the filament lifespan (i.e., half- life), and regulate nuclear architecture and keratinocyte differentiation in vivo.
In Aim 1, we will: (a) relate specific disulfide bonds involvng Krt5 and Krt14 to specific spatial configurations of IFs in keratinocytes; (b) identify the determinants of keratin filament half-life in epidermal keratinocytes, with an emphasis on disulfide bonding; and (c) assess the functional importance of inter-keratin disulfide bonding in mouse skin tissue.
In Aim 2, we will use X-ray crystallography to determine the atomic structure of (a) the heterodimer and (b) the heterotetramer of Krt5 and Krt14 rod domains. Success with this latter effort will help define how EBS-causing mutations impact the structure and properties of Krt5-Kr14 subunits. The proposed research is highly original, addresses crippling knowledge deficiencies in the field, and is poised to deepen our understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of the clinically-relevant structural support function of keratin filaments in vivo.

Public Health Relevance

Keratins are the major cytoskeletal proteins in epithelial cells, in which they provide key structural support and protection against stress. Accordingly, genetic defects in keratin proteins account for a large number of epithelial fragility conditions. This project aims to further our understanding of the structural support role of keratins in skin tissue with the ultimate goal of developing novel approaches for the therapy of keratin- based diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR042047-20
Application #
8891221
Study Section
Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin Study Section (ACTS)
Program Officer
Baker, Carl
Project Start
1995-06-15
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2015-07-01
Budget End
2016-06-30
Support Year
20
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21205
Jacob, Justin T; Coulombe, Pierre A; Kwan, Raymond et al. (2018) Types I and II Keratin Intermediate Filaments. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 10:
Coulombe, Pierre A (2017) The Molecular Revolution in Cutaneous Biology: Keratin Genes and their Associated Disease: Diversity, Opportunities, and Challenges. J Invest Dermatol 137:e67-e71
Coulombe, Pierre A (2016) Discovery of keratin function and role in genetic diseases: the year that 1991 was. Mol Biol Cell 27:2807-10
Wang, Fengrong; Zieman, Abigail; Coulombe, Pierre A (2016) Skin Keratins. Methods Enzymol 568:303-50
Feng, Xia; Coulombe, Pierre A (2015) Complementary roles of specific cysteines in keratin 14 toward the assembly, organization, and dynamics of intermediate filaments in skin keratinocytes. J Biol Chem 290:22507-19
Feng, Xia; Coulombe, Pierre A (2015) A role for disulfide bonding in keratin intermediate filament organization and dynamics in skin keratinocytes. J Cell Biol 209:59-72
van Steensel, Maurice A M; Coulombe, Pierre A; Kaspar, Roger L et al. (2014) Report of the 10th Annual International Pachyonychia Congenita Consortium Meeting. J Invest Dermatol 134:588-591
Alvarado, David M; Coulombe, Pierre A (2014) Directed expression of a chimeric type II keratin partially rescues keratin 5-null mice. J Biol Chem 289:19435-47
Chung, Byung-Min; Rotty, Jeremy D; Coulombe, Pierre A (2013) Networking galore: intermediate filaments and cell migration. Curr Opin Cell Biol 25:600-12
Pan, Xiaoou; Hobbs, Ryan P; Coulombe, Pierre A (2013) The expanding significance of keratin intermediate filaments in normal and diseased epithelia. Curr Opin Cell Biol 25:47-56

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