Mouse Notch: Expression in Hair Follicles Correlates with Cell Fate Determination

The study investigated the role of the Notch homolog (mNotch) in skin development, particularly in hair follicles, by cloning the mouse homolog and analyzing its expression pattern. Using double-labeled in situ hybridization, researchers found that mNotch was highly expressed in the epithelial compartment of hair follicles, starting from the matrix cells as they differentiate. This expression persisted throughout the follicle's growth phase and into the second hair cycle. The findings suggested that mNotch played a crucial role in follicular differentiation and cell fate selection, distinct from inductive interactions with the dermal papilla.