Single-Cell Transcriptomics Defines Keratinocyte Differentiation in Avian Scutate Scales

January 2022 in “ Scientific reports ”

Julia Lachner, Florian Ehrlich, Matthias Wielscher, Matthias Farlik, Marcela Hermann, Erwin Tschachler, Leopold Eckhart

keratinocytes cysteine-rich keratins corneous beta-proteins CBPs keratin 9-like cysteine-rich 2 KRT9LC2 epidermal differentiation complex lipid metabolism lipid transport keratins

Studysummary This study identified distinct gene expression programs in keratinocytes responsible for forming hard scales and soft interscale epidermis in chickens, revealing conserved differentiation genes similar to those in human skin.

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research Convergent Evolution of Cysteine-Rich Keratins in Hard Skin Appendages of Terrestrial Vertebrates

36 citations , November 2019 in “Molecular biology and evolution”

This study suggests that the keratins found in reptile and bird skin appendages evolved independently from mammalian hair keratins, highlighting convergent evolution in these species.

research Review: Evolution And Diversification Of Corneous Beta-Proteins, The Characteristic Epidermal Proteins Of Reptiles And Birds

72 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution”

This review provides an overview of the molecular evolution of corneous beta-proteins in reptiles and birds, highlighting their distinct genetic origin and role in epidermal structures, but reports no new results.

Comprehensive Molecular and Cellular Studies Suggest Avian Scutate Scales Are Secondarily Derived from Feathers, and More Distant from Reptilian Scales

research Comprehensive Molecular and Cellular Studies Suggest Avian Scutate Scales Are Secondarily Derived from Feathers, and More Distant from Reptilian Scales

38 citations , November 2018 in “Scientific Reports”

This study suggests that chicken and alligator scales evolved independently through convergent evolution rather than sharing a common origin with avian feathers.

Transcriptome Analyses of Reprogrammed Feather/Scale Chimeric Explants Revealed Co-Expressed Epithelial Gene Networks During Organ Specification

research Transcriptome Analyses of Reprogrammed Feather/Scale Chimeric Explants Revealed Co-Expressed Epithelial Gene Networks During Organ Specification

7 citations , October 2018 in “BMC genomics”

This study reveals that β-catenin and retinoic acid are key regulators in the gene networks controlling the fate of skin appendages, such as scales and feathers.

research Trichohyalin-Like Proteins Have Evolutionarily Conserved Roles in the Morphogenesis of Skin Appendages

68 citations , April 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study identified a new S100 fused-type protein, scaffoldin, in reptiles and birds and suggests that SFTP-positive epithelia serve as scaffolds for the growth of various skin appendages, indicating a common evolutionary origin.

research Reptile Scale Paradigm: Evo-Devo, Pattern Formation and Regeneration

158 citations , January 2009 in “The International Journal of Developmental Biology”

This perspective highlights the potential of reptile integument as an experimental model to understand the evolution of amniote skin structures, but reports no new research findings.

research Identification of Reptilian Genes Encoding Hair Keratin-Like Proteins Suggests a New Scenario for the Evolutionary Origin of Hair

115 citations , November 2008 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

In this study, the researchers found that mammalian hair likely evolved through the adaptation of existing structural proteins, as similar cysteine-rich α-keratins were identified in chicken and lizard genomes, suggesting pre-mammalian origins.

research Scratching the Surface of Skin Development

788 citations , February 2007 in “Nature”

This review explores how adult skin epithelia preserve stem cell populations for hair follicle regeneration and wound healing, but reports no new experimental results.