Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Generation of Genetically Modified Organotypic Skin Cultures Using Devitalized Human Dermis
09:16

Generation of Genetically Modified Organotypic Skin Cultures Using Devitalized Human Dermis

Published on: December 14, 2015

Perp is a p63-regulated gene essential for epithelial integrity

Rebecca A Ihrie1, Michelle R Marques, Bichchau T Nguyen

  • 1Division of Radiation and Cancer Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.

Cell
|March 31, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Perp is a direct target of p63, crucial for stratified epithelial development. Perp-deficient mice exhibit skin blistering, revealing Perp’s essential role in maintaining epithelial adhesion and tissue integrity.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Epithelial Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • p63 is a master regulator of stratified epithelial development.
  • Perp, a tetraspan membrane protein, was previously identified as a p53 target involved in apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Perp as a direct target of p63 in epithelial development.
  • To elucidate Perp's function in vivo during embryogenesis and its contribution to epithelial integrity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Perp expression during embryogenesis.
  • Generation and characterization of Perp knockout (Perp-/-) mice.
  • Histological examination of skin and epithelial tissues.
  • Localization studies of Perp protein at desmosomes.

Main Results:

  • Perp expression is dependent on p63 during embryogenesis.
  • Perp-/- mice display severe blistering in stratified epithelia due to compromised adhesion.
  • Perp localizes to desmosomes and is essential for their stable assembly.
  • Perp deficiency leads to structural defects in desmosomes and impaired tissue integrity.

Conclusions:

  • Perp is the first identified direct target of p63 involved in mediating stratified epithelial development.
  • Perp plays a critical role in an epithelial adhesion subprogram essential for tissue integrity and homeostasis.
  • These findings establish Perp as a key effector in the p63 developmental pathway.

More Related Videos

Establishment of a Clinic-based Biorepository07:50

Establishment of a Clinic-based Biorepository

Published on: May 29, 2017

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P5314:57

Yeast As a Chassis for Developing Functional Assays to Study Human P53

Published on: August 4, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells01:12

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular cells,...