To Grow or Not to Grow: Hair Morphogenesis and Human Genetic Hair Disorders

December 2013 in “ Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology ”

Olivier Duverger, María I. Morasso

hair follicle development genetic hair disorders transcriptional regulation signaling pathways atrichia hypotrichosis structural hair defects HOXC13 MBTPS2 SOX18 WNT signaling pathway cell-cell adhesion

TLDR Genetic mutations can cause hair growth disorders by affecting key genes and signaling pathways.

The document from 2014 reviews the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle development and the genetic disorders associated with hair growth abnormalities. It explains that hair disorders can be caused by mutations in genes responsible for transcriptional regulation and signaling pathways, and these mutations can lead to conditions such as atrichia, hypotrichosis, and structural hair defects. Specific genes like HOXC13, MBTPS2, SOX18, and those involved in the WNT signaling pathway and cell-cell adhesion are implicated in various hair disorders. The review also discusses the association of hair disorders with other clinical conditions and the importance of understanding these mechanisms for developing treatments. The work is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.

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