The TGM3 gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called transglutaminase 3. This enzyme is found in certain skin cells called keratinocytes and corneocytes, as well as in various structures that make up scalp hair, including the root and strand (shaft).
Transglutaminase 3 helps proteins attach (bind) to each other at specific protein building blocks (amino acids). Specifically, transglutaminase 3 helps bind proteins together at their glutamine and lysine amino acids. This binding forms stabilizing cross-links between proteins. These protein cross-links provide strength and structure to cells, particularly skin and hair cells.
At least one mutation in the TGM3 gene has been found to cause uncombable hair syndrome. This condition is characterized by dry, frizzy, blond scalp hair that cannot be combed flat. This condition usually improves over time, and by adolescence individuals with uncombable hair syndrome have hair that lies flat and has normal or nearly normal texture.
The TGM3 gene mutation that has been identified leads to a premature stop signal in the instructions used to make transglutaminase 3, resulting in an abnormally short enzyme with severely reduced activity. A shortage (deficiency) of functional enzyme impairs cross-linking between certain proteins. Particularly, the hair shaft protein trichohyalin cannot bind to other trichohyalin proteins or to molecules called keratin intermediate filaments. These proteins and molecules need to bind to each other to form the cross-links that give the hair shaft its cylindrical shape. Because transglutaminase 3 cannot facilitate these cross-links, the cross-section of the hair shaft becomes triangular, heart-shaped, or flat. These angular hair shafts result in frizzy hair that will not lie flat, which is typical of uncombable hair syndrome.
- E polypeptide, protein-glutamine-gamma-glutamyltransferase
- protein-glutamine gamma-glutamyltransferase E
- TGase E
- transglutaminase E