Protein indicators for HaCaT cell damage induced by UVB irradiation

UVB (290–320 nm) is one major risk factor of skin diseases in human. In order to provide potential protein molecules in skin cell damage and skin diseases induced by UVB irradiation, the differentially expressed proteins in human keratinocytes cell HaCaT by UVB irradiation were screened by two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE) combined to high performance liquid chromatography-nano-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-nESI-MS/MS). 31 protein spots were found differentially expressed with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Sixteen and 15 protein spots were observed up-regulated and down-regulated in UVB-irradiated HaCaT, respectively. Twenty-eight unique proteins were identified by searching the MS/MS data against NCBInr database through TurboSequest Bioworks software. Among the identified 28 UVB irradiation responding protein indicators, only laminin receptor 1 (RPSA), calmodulin (CALM3), cathepsin D (CTSD) and peroxiredoxin (PRDX1) proteins have been reported associated with skin burn and wound healing, keratinocytes proliferation and migration and epidermal barrier repairing. Most of these targets were for the first time revealed to be associated with skin cell damage induced by UVB irradiation. Function and bioinformatics analyses of the identified protein candidates were also performed using PANTHER analysis with the aid of DAVID platform. The current work provides potential protein indicators for skin cell damage from UVB irradiation.

► Human keratinocytes cells (HaCaTs) were stimulated by UVB irradiation.
► Proteomics results indicated 28 proteins were differentially expressed in HaCaT following UVB irradiation.
► Most of the identified protein candidates were for the first time revealed associated with skin cell damage.