Dysregulation of TAp63 mRNA and protein levels in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic and excessive inflammation of the skin and is currently incurable. The cause of psoriasis remains poorly understood and a central and cooperative role for keratinocytes and T-cells in triggering the disease is highlighted. The p63 gene encodes six different proteins with homology to the tumor suppressor protein p53 that are crucial for normal development of ectodermally derived structures such as skin and oral mucosa.

Endogenous p63 acts as a survival factor for tumour cells of SCCHN origin.

The human p63 gene encodes a series of proteins that differ in their N- and/or C-terminal sequences and have widely differing properties in promoting or repressing p53-related functions such as growth arrest and apoptosis. In addition, p63 has important roles in the maintenance and differentiation of epithelial cell populations. Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) express high levels of DeltaNp63 and p63beta isoforms compared to normal tissue from the same patients, suggesting a role for these isoforms in the pathogenesis of this common human malignancy.

Function and importance of p63 in normal oral mucosa and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background/aims: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) is the 6th most common malignancy worldwide with a 5-year survival that has not improved over the last 20-25 years. Factors of prognostic significance for this tumour type include the presence of regional lymph node metastasis and amplification of chromosome 3q21-29, where the p63 gene is located. This gene encodes 6 proteins and is crucial for formation of the oral mucosa, teeth, salivary glands and skin.

Complex p63 mRNA isoform expression patterns in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The human p63 gene encodes a series of protein isoforms that differ in their N- and/or C-terminal sequences and possess widely varying activities in promoting or repressing p53-related functions and in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells. To gain further information on the role of p63 expression in human tumours, we used quantitative real-time RT-PCR to study individual p63 isoforms in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). In keeping with previous reports, expression of the deltaN- and p63alpha-isoforms predominated and deltaNp63 mRNA was expressed at significantly higher levels in tumours compared to matched normal tissues.