Molecular Basis for Hair Loss in Mice Carrying a Novel Nonsense Mutation (Hr^rh-R) in the Hairless Gene (Hr)
January 2010
in “
Veterinary pathology
”
hairless gene Hr gene nonsense mutation nonsense-mediated decay hair follicle infundibula cornified material keratinocyte differentiation wound healing transcriptional corepressor Myc/Max superfamily hair follicle stem cell molecular mechanisms of hair loss hair follicle keratinocyte Myc/Max stem cell hair loss
TLDR A new mutation in the hairless gene causes hair loss and skin wrinkling in mice.
Researchers identified a novel nonsense mutation in the hairless (Hr) gene in mice, termed Hr^rh-R, which caused significant hair loss and skin wrinkling due to reduced Hr mRNA levels from nonsense-mediated decay. Histological analysis showed dilated hair follicle infundibula filled with cornified material by 14 days of age. Gene expression profiling revealed upregulation of genes involved in keratinocyte differentiation and wound healing, indicating a loss of Hr's transcriptional corepressor function. The study suggested Hr's interaction with the Myc/Max superfamily influences hair follicle stem cell fate, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of hair loss and the role of the Hr gene in hair follicle biology.