TLDR B-Raf and C-Raf are essential for maintaining melanocyte stem cells to prevent hair graying.
The study found that B-Raf and C-Raf kinases were essential for the self-maintenance of melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) in mice, as their absence led to hair graying due to MSC depletion in hair follicles. While these kinases were not necessary for early melanocyte development, they were crucial for MSC cell-cycle entry and maintenance. The research also revealed a separation between SCF/Kit and Raf/ERK signaling pathways, with B-Raf and C-Raf being functionally redundant, as single knockouts did not result in hair graying. Various genetic models and techniques were used to demonstrate these findings.
759 citations,
February 2009 in “Current Biology” Hair follicles are complex, dynamic mini-organs that help us understand cell growth, death, migration, and differentiation, as well as tissue regeneration and tumor biology.
70 citations,
May 2008 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Notch/RBP-J signaling is crucial for proper placement and timing of melanocyte development in hair follicles.
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April 2023 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Blocking casein kinase 1 in skin cells can help melanocyte precursors move better, potentially helping with conditions like vitiligo or gray hair.
240 citations,
April 2011 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research” Melanocyte stem cells in hair follicles are key for hair color and could help treat greying and pigment disorders.
10 citations,
November 2010 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research” Only skin melanocytes, not other types, can color hair in mice.
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75 citations,
January 2009 in “International journal of trichology” Hair grays due to oxidative stress and fewer functioning melanocytes.
