Late cornified envelope protein 1B (LCE1B)

Late cornified envelope protein 1B (LCE1B) is a structural protein encoded by the LCE1B gene, which is a member of the late cornified envelope (LCE) family within the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) located on chromosome 1q21.[3][4][6] LCE1B is a small protein (118 amino acids, approx. 12 kDa) expressed primarily in the skin and certain mucosal tissues including esophagus and tongue, where it participates in the formation of the cornified envelope, a key component of the skin’s outer barrier.[1][2] Its expression is induced during terminal keratinocyte differentiation and is regulated by both environmental factors (e.g., calcium and UV light) and chromatin architecture involving enhancers and transcription factors such as AP-1.[1][2][3] Although not a classical therapeutic target like a receptor or enzyme, LCE1B and related EDC proteins are important for cutaneous barrier integrity, and alterations in their expression may be relevant in skin disorders characterized by barrier dysfunction.[3][6][7]

Other names

Late envelope protein 2LEP2SPRL2ASmall proline-rich-like epidermal differentiation complex protein 2ASmall proline-rich-like 5small proline-rich-like (epidermal differentiation complex) 2A