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

October 2020 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Madeleine Le Coz, Zackie Aktary, Natsuki Watanabe, Ichiro Yajima, Marie Pouteaux, Nisamanee Charoenchon, Tsutomu Motohashi, Takahiro Kunisada, André Corvelo, Lionel Larue

β-catenin melanocyte stem cells McSC pigmentation defects stem cell renewal hair whitening beta-catenin

Studysummary This study established that the Dct::CreERT2 mouse line is effective for targeting and studying adult melanocyte stem cells, contributing to the understanding of melanocyte biology and hair pigmentation.

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The study used a Dct::CreERT2 transgenic mouse model to explore the role of β-catenin in melanocyte stem cell (McSC) renewal and pigmentation. Knocking out β-catenin in McSCs resulted in disrupted stem cell renewal and pigmentation defects, leading to permanent hair whitening in adult mice. This demonstrated that β-catenin was essential for McSC renewal and the production of mature melanocytes. The findings underscored the importance of β-catenin in maintaining McSC function and pigmentation, with potential implications for understanding pigmentation disorders and developing therapeutic strategies.

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