Disturbed Keratinocyte Differentiation in Transgenic Mice and Organotypic Keratinocyte Cultures Due to Spermidine/Spermine N1-Acetyltransferase Overexpression

In this study, overexpression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) in transgenic mice led to increased putrescine levels, causing permanent hair loss and skin abnormalities such as dermal cysts and epidermal utriculi due to disturbed keratinocyte differentiation. This was characterized by altered expression of cytokeratins and filaggrin. The study found that reducing putrescine levels with DFMO treatment could alleviate these skin changes and promote hair regrowth, highlighting the importance of proper polyamine metabolism regulation for normal keratinocyte differentiation and hair follicle function. These findings had potential implications for understanding skin disorders and hair growth.