Targeted Knockout of Beta-Catenin in Adult Melanocyte Stem Cells Using a Mouse Line, Dct::CreERT2, Results in Disrupted Stem Cell Renewal and Pigmentation Defects

    Madeleine Le Coz, Zackie Aktary, Natsuki Watanabe, Ichiro Yajima, Marie Pouteaux, Nisamanee Charoenchon, Tsutomu Motohashi, Takahiro Kunisada, André Corvelo, Lionel Larue
    The study used Dct::CreERT2 transgenic mice to explore the role of β-catenin in melanocyte stem cell (McSC) renewal and pigmentation. Knocking out β-catenin in McSCs led to disrupted stem cell renewal and pigmentation defects, causing permanent hair whitening in the mice. This demonstrated that β-catenin was essential for McSC renewal and mature melanocyte production. The findings highlighted a previously unreported function of β-catenin in McSC renewal, and the Dct::CreERT2 mouse line was established as a valuable tool for studying adult McSCs and pigmentation.
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