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Review

Ras/Erk MAPK Signaling in Epidermal Homeostasis and Neoplasia

Thomas A. Khavari and John Rinn

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Epidermis provides the cutaneous barrier to the external environment and undergoes a continual process of proliferative self-renewal, with human epidermis undergoing complete turnover approximately 1,000 times in a lifetime. Recent work suggests that this ongoing proliferative replenishment of epidermal cells depends, in part, on continual signals for cell division and survival transmitted by the Ras/Erk MAPK pathway. Such constant cell proliferation, however, requires tight regulation to avoid the uncontrolled tissue expansion characteristic of epidermal neoplasia. Recent studies provide new insight into Ras/Erk MAPK pathway function in the control of normal skin development and homeostasis as well as how its deregulation promotes epidermal tumorigenesis.

Authors

Thomas A. Khavari

Stanford University School of Medicine; Stanford, CA

John Rinn

Stanford University School of Medicine; Stanford, CA

Purchase article for $19

Subscribe to this journal for $129/year