<i>MYC</i> Protooncogenes of Wool and Hair Growth^a

The study explored the role of myc protooncogenes in wool and hair growth, hypothesizing that their expression is crucial for cellular division in hair follicles. Researchers detected mRNAs for various growth factors and myc genes in wool follicles and mouse skin, noting that mRNA levels for certain genes decreased at the end of the hair cycle. To test the hypothesis, transgenic mice were created with overexpressed N-myc in hair follicles, but high embryonic mortality and abnormalities were observed, likely due to transient transgene expression. The two surviving transgenic mice appeared normal, suggesting potential for further research.