ATP-binding cassette sub-family A member 12 also known as ATP-binding cassette transporter 12 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ABCA12 gene. [5]
ABCA12 belongs to a group of genes called the ATP-binding cassette family, which makes proteins that transport molecules across cell membranes. The ABCA12 gene is active in some types of skin cells and in several other tissues, such as testis, placenta, lung, stomach, and fetal brain and liver. This protein appears to be essential for normal development of the skin, which provides a barrier between the body and its surrounding environment. It transports epidermoside, a glucosylceramide, out of the keratinocytes of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. [6]
The ABCA12 gene is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 2 between positions 34 and 35, from base pair 215,621,772 to base pair 215,828,656.
Several mutations in the ABCA12 gene are known to cause harlequin-type ichthyosis. [7] Most of these mutations are predicted to lead to an absence of ABCA12 protein or the production of an extremely small version of the protein that cannot transport lipids properly. A loss of functional ABCA12 protein causes numerous problems with the development of the epidermis before and after birth. Abnormalities in lipid transport prevent the skin from forming an effective barrier and result in the hard, thick scales characteristic of harlequin ichthyosis.
Mutations in the ABCA12 gene also cause another severe skin disorder, lamellar ichthyosis type 2. [8] [9] People with this disorder have red, scaly, plate-like skin covering most of their bodies. The ABCA12 mutations that cause this disorder substitute one amino acid (a building block of proteins) for another amino acid in the ABCA12 protein. These mutations almost always occur in an important functional region of the protein (the region that binds to ATP, a molecule that supplies energy for chemical reactions). Changes in the structure of the ABCA12 protein likely disrupt its ability to transport lipids, which affects the development of skin before and after birth.
Harlequin-type ichthyosis is a genetic disorder that results in thickened skin over nearly the entire body at birth. The skin forms large, diamond/trapezoid/rectangle-shaped plates that are separated by deep cracks. These affect the shape of the eyelids, nose, mouth, and ears and limit movement of the arms and legs. Restricted movement of the chest can lead to breathing difficulties. These plates fall off over several weeks. Other complications can include premature birth, infection, problems with body temperature, and dehydration. The condition is the most severe form of ichthyosis, a group of genetic disorders characterised by scaly skin.
Keratin 2A also known as keratin 2E or keratin 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KRT2A gene.
Keratin, type I cytoskeletal 10 also known as cytokeratin-10 (CK-10) or keratin-10 (K10) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KRT10 gene. Keratin 10 is a type I keratin.
Keratin 16 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KRT16 gene.
Protein-glutamine gamma-glutamyltransferase K is a transglutaminase enzyme that in humans is encoded by the TGM1 gene.
The ATP-binding cassette 4 (ABCB4) gene encodes multidrug resistance protein 3. ABCB4 is associated with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3 and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) also called canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter 1 (cMOAT) or ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member 2 (ABCC2) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ABCC2 gene.
ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ABCG8 gene.
Lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) also known as serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SPINK5 gene.
Loricrin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LOR gene.
HR is a gene encoding Protein hairless.
Fermitin family homolog 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FERMT1 gene.
ATP-binding cassette sub-family A member 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ABCA3 gene.
ATP-binding cassette super-family B member 6, mitochondrial is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ABCB6 gene.
Epidermis-type lipoxygenase 3 is a member of the lipoxygenase family of enzymes; in humans, it is encoded by the ALOXE3 gene. This gene is located on chromosome 17 at position 13.1 where it forms a cluster with two other lipoxygenases, ALOX12B and ALOX15B. Among the human lipoxygenases, ALOXE3 is most closely related in amino acid sequence to ALOX12B. ALOXE3, ALOX12B, and ALOX15B are often classified as epidermal lipoxygenases, in distinction to the other three human lipoxygenases, because they were initially defined as being highly or even exclusively expressed and functioning in skin. The epidermis-type lipoxygenases are now regarded as a distinct subclass within the multigene family of mammalian lipoxygenases with mouse Aloxe3 being the ortholog to human ALOXE3, mouse Alox12b being the ortholog to human ALOX12B, and mouse Alox8 being the ortholog to human ALOX15B [supplied by OMIM]. ALOX12B and ALOXE3 in humans, Alox12b and Aloxe3 in mice, and comparable orthologs in other in other species are proposed to act sequentially in a multistep metabolic pathway that forms products that are structurally critical for creating and maintaining the skin's water barrier function.
Eclabium means the turning outwards of the lip. Eclabium comes from the Greek word "ek" meaning "out," and the Latin word "labium" meaning "lip." This deformation occurs in most babies born with harlequin type ichthyosis, caused by genetic defects. Eclabium can severely impact the quality of life. There are ways to predict if a child will have this condition before they are born through genetic testing. For patients who suffer from eclabium due to improper wound healing, there are different treatment options available to restore the lips back to normal or at least to the point where they are not a hazard to the patients quality of life. Periodontitis can also cause eclabium. As eclabium is a symptom, it is treated by addressing its cause. When the underlying disease is treated, the eclabium tends to go away as well.
Congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, also known as nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, is a rare type of the ichthyosis family of skin diseases which occurs in 1 in 200,000 to 300,000 births. The disease comes under the umbrella term autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis, which include non-syndromic congenital ichthyoses such as harlequin ichthyosis and lamellar ichthyosis.
CYP4F22 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CYP4F22 gene.
Trichorrhexis invaginata is a distinctive hair shaft abnormality that may occur sporadically, either in normal hair or with other hair shaft abnormalities, or regularly as a marker for Netherton syndrome. The primary defect appears to be abnormal keratinization of the hair shaft in the keratogenous zone, allowing for intussusception of the fully keratinized and hard distal shaft into the incompletely keratinized and soft proximal portion of the shaft.
Nipa‐Like Domain‐Containing 4, also known as NIPAL4 or Ichthyin, is a gene that is predicted to code for a transmembrane protein with nine transmembrane domains. NIPAL4 codes for the protein magnesium transporter NIPA4, which acts as a Mg2+
transporter.