Molecular and Functional Aspects of the Hairless (Hr) Gene in Laboratory Rodents and Humans

The document discussed the hairless (hr) gene in laboratory rodents and humans, highlighting its role in skin physiology and hair follicle biology. Hairless and rhino mouse mutants served as models for studying skin-related aspects, but their primary defect, hairlessness, was often overlooked. The identification of the human homolog of the hr gene on Chromosome 8p12 linked it to a congenital hair disorder in humans, similar to hairless mice. Mutations in the hr gene in mice provided models for understanding its function and the pathophysiology of related human disorders. The study reviewed the structure, expression patterns, and mutations of the hr gene, exploring its implications in hairlessness, reproductive and immunological defects, and dioxin toxicity susceptibility. The authors speculated on the potential functions of the hr gene product in skin and hair follicle biology.