Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin
Published on: July 14, 2017
Kazrin regulates keratinocyte cytoskeletal networks, intercellular junctions and differentiation
Lisa M Sevilla1, Rachida Nachat, Karen R Groot
1Epithelial Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
Abstract:
Kazrin is an evolutionarily conserved protein that is upregulated during keratinocyte terminal differentiation. Kazrin localizes to desmosomes and binds the epidermal cornified envelope protein periplakin. Kazrin overexpression in human epidermal keratinocytes caused profound changes in cell shape, reduced filamentous actin, reorganized keratin filaments, and impaired assembly of intercellular junctions. These effects were attributable to decreased Rho activity in kazrin-overexpressing cells. Kazrin overexpression also stimulated terminal differentiation and reduced clonal growth in culture. Knockdown of kazrin decreased expression of differentiation markers and stimulated proliferation without changing total Rho activity. We conclude that kazrin is a dual regulator of intercellular adhesion and differentiation in keratinocytes and regulates these processes by Rho-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures
Catenins
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Anchoring Junctions
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments
