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The protein phosphatase 2 A regulatory subunit P pp2r2a is required for C onnexin‐43 dephosphorlyation during epidermal barrier acquisition
Author(s) -
Gerner Lisa,
Youssef Gehad,
O'Shaughnessy Ryan F. L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.12234
Subject(s) - phosphatase , protein subunit , protein phosphatase 1 , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , gene
Abstract Epidermal barrier acquisition during late mammalian development is a prerequisite for terrestrial existence. Over a 24‐h period, the epidermis goes from being a barrier‐deficient, dye permeable epithelium to a barrier‐competent epithelium. We have previously shown that A kt signalling is necessary for barrier acquisition in the mouse and that the protein phosphatase 2 A regulatory subunit P pp2r2a causes barrier acquisition by dephosphorylation of cJ un. Here, we demonstrate that there is transient interaction between the gap junction protein C onnexin 43 ( C x43) and Z onula occludins‐1 ( Z o‐1) during epidermal barrier acquisition. Ppp2r2a knockdown prevented plasma membrane co‐localisation and interaction between the two proteins. Ppp2r2a knockdown also increased phosphorylation at S erine 368 of C onnexin 43. Cx43 phosphorlyation at S erine368 occurred just prior to the interaction between C onnexin 43 and Z o‐1. We therefore propose a model in which P pp2r2a is required both for the initial interaction between Z o‐1 and C x43 and the consequent dephosphorylation of C onnexin 43, preventing interaction of Z o‐1 and allowing Z o‐1 to initiate tight junction formation and barrier acquisition.