EGFR: Stopping Stathmin to Start the Cycle

The document discussed the role of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in hair follicle cycling, particularly its influence on the transition from anagen to catagen phases. Bichsel et al. studied mice with an epidermal deletion of the Egfr gene and found that these mice exhibited delayed and unsynchronized catagen entry compared to wild-type mice. The study identified Stathmin, a protein involved in cell proliferation, as a key player in this process. EGFR activation was shown to suppress Stathmin, promoting timely catagen entry. The findings suggested that EGFR signaling is crucial for balancing proliferation and apoptosis in hair follicles, with potential implications for understanding EGFR's role in other tissues and its dual nature in promoting both cell proliferation and apoptosis.