TLDR A protein called PCBP2 controls the production of a hair growth protein by interacting with its genetic message and is linked to hair loss when this control is disrupted.
The study demonstrated that Poly(rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) acted as a negative regulator of internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation of hairless (Hr) mRNA. PCBP2 bound to the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of Hr mRNA, inhibiting HR protein expression without altering mRNA levels. Overexpression of PCBP2 decreased IRES activity and HR protein levels, while knockdown increased them. This regulation was disrupted in mutant Hr 5′ UTR associated with Marie Unna hereditary hypotrichosis (MUHH), leading to abnormal HR protein overexpression. These findings suggested that modulating PCBP2 activity could be a potential therapeutic strategy for hair loss conditions like alopecia.
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