Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Measuring Composition of CD95 Death-Inducing Signaling Complex and Processing of Procaspase-8 in this Complex
07:17

Measuring Composition of CD95 Death-Inducing Signaling Complex and Processing of Procaspase-8 in this Complex

Published on: August 2, 2021

Cuts by caspase-14 control the proteolysis of filaggrin

Leopold Eckhart1, Erwin Tschachler

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. leopold.eckhart@meduniwien.ac.at

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|October 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Caspase-14 directly cleaves filaggrin (FLG), a key protein in skin barrier function. This protease activity generates amino acids essential for skin hydration and UV protection, revealing new regulatory mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology and Molecular Biology
  • Skin Barrier Function and Proteolysis

Background:

  • Filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations are linked to ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis.
  • The precise function and regulation of filaggrin in epidermal homeostasis are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of caspase-14 in filaggrin processing.
  • To understand the contribution of filaggrin breakdown products to stratum corneum properties.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the direct interaction and cleavage of filaggrin by caspase-14.
  • Analyzed the enzymatic cascade involving caspase-14 and other proteases in filaggrin degradation.

Main Results:

  • Filaggrin is directly cleaved by caspase-14.
  • Caspase-14, along with other proteases, regulates filaggrin breakdown into free amino acids.
  • These amino acids are crucial for the stratum corneum's hydration and UVB absorption capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Identified caspase-14 as a direct protease of filaggrin.
  • Established a novel regulatory pathway for epidermal barrier function involving filaggrin proteolysis.
  • Highlighted the importance of filaggrin-derived amino acids for skin health and protection.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death10:23

Evaluation of Caspase Activation to Assess Innate Immune Cell Death

Published on: January 20, 2023

Visualization of Inflammatory Caspases Induced Proximity in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages08:41

Visualization of Inflammatory Caspases Induced Proximity in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

Published on: April 6, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
Actin Filament Depolymerization01:19

Actin Filament Depolymerization

Actin filaments (F-actin) are composed of actin subunits. The dissociation of actin monomers can occur from either end of F-actin. The rate of dissociation is faster from the minus-end or the pointed end, where the actin subunits exist with a bound ADP, together known as ADP-actin. The depolymerization of F-actin is aided by proteins, including the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) and cofilin family of proteins, gelsolin, and glia maturation factor (GMF).
In F-actin, the ADF/cofilin proteins...
Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

Intermediate filaments (IFs) do not undergo spontaneous disassembly. Enzymes, kinases, and phosphatases add and remove phosphates from specific sites to regulate their disassembly. The IF concentration in the cytoplasm also regulates the disassembly. If the concentration crosses a threshold, it activates the protein kinases in the vicinity, allowing the phosphorylation of IFs.
Keratin proteins, found at the cell periphery near cell junctions, undergo a cycle of assembly and disassembly. In Type...
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...