Sciellin and uses thereof

摘要

The present invention relates to novel epidermal protein, sciellin. Sciellin polypeptides comprise an N-terminal domain, a central domain containing sixteen repeats and a C-terminal LIM domain. Sciellin polypeptides may function as precursors of the cornified envelope of keratinizing tissues. Described herein are isolated and antisense nucleic acids molecules, recombinant expression vectors, host cells and non-human transgenic animals containing an insertion or a disruption of the sciellin gene. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing the compositions of the invention are also provided.