Netherton syndrome At least 70 SPINK5 gene mutations have been identified in people with Netherton syndrome, a disorder involving skin and hair abnormalities and a high risk of allergies, asthma, and an inflammatory skin condition called eczema. Mutations in the SPINK5 gene result in a LEKT1 protein that is unable to control serine peptidase activity. The lack of LEKT1 function allows the serine peptidases to be abnormally active and break down too many proteins in the stratum corneum. As a result, excessive skin shedding takes place, and the stratum corneum is unusually thin and breaks down easily, resulting in the skin abnormalities that occur in Netherton syndrome. Loss of LEKT1 function also results in abnormal hair growth. The immune dysfunction that leads to allergies, asthma, and eczema in people with Netherton syndrome likely arises from a lack of LEKT1 control of peptidases involved in the triggering of immune system function. Excessive activation of the immune system caused by invasion of microbes in the abnormal skin is also thought to be involved. other disorders Normal variations (polymorphisms) in the SPINK5 gene have been associated with an increased risk of abnormal triggering (hypersensitivity) of the immune system, known as atopy. Atopy leads to disorders such as allergies, eczema, and asthma. SPINK5 gene variations may affect the ability of LEKT1 to control peptidases involved in triggering the immune system, leading to an increased risk of these disorders.

     The SPINK5 gene provides instructions for making a protein called LEKT1. LEKT1 is a type of serine peptidase inhibitor. Serine peptidase inhibitors control the activity of enzymes called serine peptidases, which break down other proteins. LEKT1 is found in the skin and in the thymus, which is a gland located behind the breastbone that plays an important role in the immune system by producing white blood cells called lymphocytes. LEKT1 controls the activity of certain serine peptidases in the outer layer of skin (the epidermis), especially the tough outer surface known as the stratum corneum, which provides a sturdy barrier between the body and its environment. Serine peptidase enzymes are involved in normal skin shedding by helping to break the connections between cells of the stratum corneum. LEKT1 is also involved in normal hair growth, the development of lymphocytes in the thymus, and the control of peptidases that trigger immune system function.

The following transcription factors affect gene expression:

• NF-kappaB
• p53
• NF-kappaB1
• IRF-1

Tissue specificity:

Highly expressed in the thymus and stratum corneum. Also found in the oral mucosa, parathyroid gland, Bartholin's glands, tonsils, and vaginal epithelium. Very low levels are detected in lung, kidney, and prostate.

Molecular Function:

• Serine-Type Endopeptidase Inhibitor Activity

Biological Processes:

• Anagen
• Epidermal Cell Differentiation
• Epithelial Cell Differentiation
• Extracellular Matrix Organization
• Hair Cell Differentiation
• Negative Regulation Of Angiogenesis
• Negative Regulation Of Antibacterial Peptide Production
• Negative Regulation Of Immune Response
• Negative Regulation Of Serine-Type Endopeptidase Activity
• Regulation Of T Cell Differentiation