Localization of calbindin-D28k in normal and incised mouse skin: immunohistochemical and immunoblot analysis

The subcellular localization of the protein calbindin-D28k in normal and incised mouse skin was investigated by immunohistochemical staining and immunoblot analysis. In normal skin, the presence of calbindin-D28k was demonstrated in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm of epidermal keratinocytes. Higher levels of calbindin-D28k were detected in the nucleus than in the cytoplasm. Following incision, the levels of calbindin-D28k were significantly decreased in epidermal keratinocytes, particularly in the nucleus, compared with those in normal skin. The immunohistochemical staining and immunoblot analysis showed nuclear calbindin-D28k to be decreased or absent during a 10-day observation period following skin incision. Based on these findings, it is suggested that calbindin-D28k may be distributed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of epidermal keratinocytes in mice, and this protein may be involved in active cell proliferation of the epidermis induced by skin incision.