BACKGROUND p63 is a p53 homologue that is mapped to chromosome 3q27. This gene encodes six different isoforms, which have either transactivating or dominant negative effects on p53-reporter genes. It has been described that in contrast to p53, p63 seems not to be associated with tumor predisposition, as neither p63 knockout mouse models nor germline p63 mutations are related to an increased ris...

We have recently described a putative receptor for lung surfactant protein-A (SP-A) on rat type II pneumocytes. The receptor, P63, is a 63-kDa type II transmembrane protein. Coincubation of type II cells with P63 antibody (Ab) reversed the inhibitory effect of SP-A on secretagogue-stimulated surfactant secretion from type II cells. To further characterize SP-A interactions with P63, we expresse...

The upper airways are lined with a pseudostratified bronchial epithelium that forms a barrier against unwanted substances in breathing air. The transcription factor p63, which is important for stratification of skin epithelium, has been shown to be expressed in basal cells of the lungs and its ΔN isoform is recognized as a key player in squamous cell lung cancer. However, the role of p63 in for...

The trachea and esophagus originate from the foregut endoderm during early embryonic development. Their epithelia undergo a series of changes involving the differentiation of stem cells into unique cell types and ultimately forming the mature epithelia. In this study, we monitored the expression of p63 in the esophagus and the trachea during development and examined in detail morphogenesis in p...

PURPOSE p63 is proposed to play roles in normal development and differentiation of stratified epithelia including urothelium. We recently reported that impaired p63 expression is a common feature of high-grade invasive urothelial carcinomas and associates with reduced beta-catenin. On the basis of these facts, we proposed that impaired p63 expression contributes to biological aggressiveness of ...

Development of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin formed of keratinocytes, requires the activity of the transcription factor p63, since p63-/mice are born without epidermis and consequently die at birth. The TP63 gene contains two distinct promoters, which drive the expression of two proteins, one with an amino-terminal trans-activation domain (TAp63) and one without (Np63), although t...

The role of apoptosis in melanoma pathogenesis and chemoresistance is poorly characterized. Mutations in TP53 occur infrequently, yet the TP53 apoptotic pathway is often abrogated. This may result from alterations in TP53 family members, including the TP53 homologue TP63. Here we demonstrate that TP63 has an antiapoptotic role in melanoma and is responsible for mediating chemoresistance. Althou...

p63, a homologue of the tumor suppressor p53, is critical for the development and maintenance of squamous epithelia. p63 is specifically expressed in the basal layers of stratified epithelial tissues and is considered a specific marker for cells of this type. The role of p63 in tumorigenesis remains poorly defined. Numerous studies have highlighted the oncogenic potential of the predominant p63...

BACKGROUND The presence of myoepithelial cells (MECs) in fine-needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of the breast constitute an important criterion used to diagnose benign breast lesions. However, MECs sometimes have a distorted cytomorphology, and most of the previously evaluated myoepithelial markers do not have satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. p63, a recently characterized p53 homolog, ...

The transcription factor p63 plays a pivotal role in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation in the epidermis. However, how p63 regulates epidermal genes during differentiation is not yet clear. Using epigenome profiling of differentiating human primary epidermal keratinocytes, we characterized a catalog of dynamically regulated genes and p63-bound regulatory elements that are relevant f...