Biochemical Basis of Skin Disease Mal de Meleda: SLURP-1 Mutants Differently Affect Keratinocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis

Mal de Meleda is an autosomal recessive palmoplantar keratoderma associated with mutations in a gene encoding SLURP-1. SLURP-1 controls growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of keratinocytes by interaction with alpha 7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. SLURP-1 has a three-finger structure with a beta-structural core (head) and three prolonged loops (fingers). To determine the role of SLURP-1 mutations, we produced 22 mutant variants of the protein, including those involved in Mal de Meleda pathogenesis. All mutants except R71H, R71P, T52A, R96P, and L98P were produced in the folded form. SLURP-1 reduces the growth of Het-1A keratinocytes; thus, we studied the influence of the mutations on its antiproliferative activity. Mutations in loops I and III led to the protein inactivation, whereas most mutations in loop II increased SLURP-1 antiproliferative activity. Alanine substitutions of R96 and L98 residues located in the protein head resulted in the appearance of additional pro-apoptotic activity. Our results agree with the diversity of Mal de Meleda phenotypes. Using obtained functional data, the SLURP-1/a7 type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor complex was modeled in silico. Our study provides functional and structural information about the role of the SLURP-1 mutations in Mal de Meleda pathogenesis and predicts SLURP-1 variants, which could drive the disease.

Automated summary

Mal de Meleda is a palmoplantar keratoderma associated with mutations in the SLURP-1 gene, which controls the growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of keratinocytes. Mutations in different regions of SLURP-1 have varying effects on its antiproliferative activity against keratinocytes. This study provides insights into the functional and structural implications of SLURP-1 mutations in the pathogenesis of Mal de Meleda.