Mechanical Instability of Adherens Junctions Overrides Intrinsic Quiescence of Hair Follicle Stem Cells

The study investigated the role of vinculin, a mechanotransducer, in maintaining the quiescence of bulge stem cells (BuSCs) in murine skin. By conditionally knocking out vinculin, researchers observed a loss of BuSC quiescence due to impaired force generation and weakened adherens junctions (AJs). Vinculin was found to maintain α-catenin in a stretched conformation, crucial for retaining YAP1, a regulator of cell proliferation, at the junctions. The conditional knockout of α-catenin in BuSCs further highlighted the importance of stable AJs in preserving stem cell quiescence and stemness. This research provided insights into the regulatory link between mechanical stability of cell junctions and BuSC quiescence.