Expression and localization of A rtemis serine 516 phosphorylation in human scalp skin

Artemis phosphorylation at serine 516 ( S er516) has important regulatory functions in the repair of radiation‐induced DNA damage, V ( D ) J recombination, p53‐dependent apoptosis and cell cycle control. Accordingly, A rtemis mutations can lead to O menn syndrome, which is associated with human radiosensitive severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome and alopecia. In this study, we investigated the expression of S er516 phosphorylation of Artemis in the epidermis and epidermal appendages in normal human scalp skin. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed S er516 phosphorylation of A rtemis in the upper and middle portion of anagen hair follicle [including outer root sheath ( ORS ), inner root sheath but not stratum basale], hair matrix, sebaceous glands (secretory and ductal portions), eccrine sweat glands (secretory and ductal portions) and epidermis (stratum basale and stratum granulosum), respectively. Artemis phosphorylation at S er516 was most prominent in ORS keratinocytes. Therefore, we suggest that phosphorylation of A rtemis at S er516 could be involved in regulation of human epidermal appendages.