First published online December 21, 2006
Development 134, 206e (2007)
© The Company of Biologists Limited
A hair-raising choice for Gata3
The hair follicle is composed of the hair shaft and epithelial stem cells,
which can repopulate hair follicles if an inductive signal is received from
the surrounding dermal papilla. Gata3 is known to be involved in hair follicle
and epidermis differentiation, but precisely how remains unclear. Now, Kurek
and co-workers reveal that Gata3 integrates different signalling networks and
is crucial in regulating the choice between forming the different layers of
the hair follicle and maintaining the epidermis. On
p. 261, the results of
a comparative transcriptional assay designed to identify upregulated genes in
Gata3 mutant hair follicles reveal that increases in Notch, Wnt and
BMP pathway components occur in the absence of Gata3, while genes associated
with cell cycle progression and apoptosis are downregulated. In the absence of
Gata3, hyperproliferation occurs in the basal epidermal cells at the expense
of correct hair follicle development. The authors propose that Gata3 acts a
moderator between hair follicle development and epithelial cell
differentiation.
Related articles in Development:
- Transcriptome and phenotypic analysis reveals Gata3-dependent signalling pathways in murine hair follicles
- Dorota Kurek, George A. Garinis, J. Hikke van Doorninck, Jacqueline van der Wees, and Frank G. Grosveld
Development 2007 134: 261-272.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
