Identification of new p63 targets in human keratinocytes

P63 is a transcription factor involved in the development of ectodermal tissues, including limb, skin and, in general, multilayered epithelia. We identified both activated and repressed genes in human keratinocytes via gene expression profiling of p63 depleted cells and validated 21 new primary targets by RT-PCR and ChIP location analysis. The p63 isoforms differentially activate or repress selected promoters. ChIPs in primary keratinocytes indicate that p63 targets are generally shared with p53, but some are p63-specific. Several growth suppressors are among repressed genes. The newly identified genes belong to pathways of growth and differentiation and are regulated in HaCaT differentiation and in stratification of human skin.