Premium
Targeted removal of the selenocysteine tRNA gene ( trsp ) in epidermis modulates skin function and development.
Author(s) -
Sengupta Aniruddha,
Lichti Ulrike F,
Carlson Bradley A,
Yuspa Stuart H,
Hatfield Dolph L
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.156.7
Subject(s) - selenocysteine , selenoprotein , epidermis (zoology) , knockout mouse , gene knockout , conditional gene knockout , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , function (biology) , rna interference , gene expression , gene , genetics , biochemistry , rna , glutathione , anatomy , enzyme , cysteine , phenotype , glutathione peroxidase
Selenium is an essential dietary micronutrient having numerous health benefits. It is incorporated into proteins (selenoproteins) as selenocysteine (Sec). Selenoprotein synthesis depends on Sec tRNA, a unique eukaryotic tRNA that governs the expression of only a single class of proteins, the selenoproteins. Manipulating Sec tRNA structure and expression can selectively alter selenoprotein synthesis. To understand the importance of selenoprotein expression in skin development and function, we targeted the removal of the Sec tRNA gene ( trsp ) in mouse epidermis, using mammalian K14 promoter based loxP‐Cre technology. Our results show that the knockout mice (Δtrsp) have stunted growth and a shorter life span as compared to control mice. They have flaky and wrinkled skin and histological analysis revealed moderate epidermal hyperplasia along with coagulative necrosis of the epidermis. The knockout mice have sparse hair and histological examination suggested that hair morphogenesis might be affected. Real‐time PCR analysis of skin of knockout and control mice shows a decrease in the expression of selenoprotein mRNAs in knockout mice, with the decrease being most significant in epidermis. These studies report a novel and previously unidentified role of selenoproteins in skin function and development. This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NCI, CCR.