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Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Generation and Culturing of Primary Human Keratinocytes from Adult Skin
Published on: December 22, 2017
Characterization of keratocalmin, a calmodulin-binding protein from human epidermis
J A Fairley1, G A Scott, K D Jensen
1Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Abstract:
Using affinity-purified calmodulin-binding proteins from human epidermis we have developed a monoclonal IgM antibody, ROC 129.1, to a human desmosomal calcmodulin-binding protein. This antibody reacts with a submembranous 250-kD protein from human keratinocytes and stains human epidermis in a "cell-surface pattern". Permeability studies indicated that the epitope with which this monoclonal reacts is on the inner surface of the cell membrane. Immunoelectronmicroscopy localized the antigen to the desmosome. The epitope is restricted to stratified squamous epithelia and arises between 8-12 wk of fetal development. This desmosomal calmodulin-binding protein, which we have termed keratocalmin, may be involved in the calcium-regulated assembly of desmosomes.
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