PRC1 Fine-Tunes Gene Repression and Activation to Safeguard Skin Epithelium Development and Stem Cell Specification

The document presents findings from a study on the role of Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) in skin epithelium development and stem cell specification. PRC1 is known to be a key regulator of cell identity through gene repression and activation. The study revealed that PRC1 is crucial for skin development and stem cell specification, as it represses non-skin lineage genes and modulates the expression of genes related to differentiation and proliferation. Interestingly, PRC1 also activates certain genes critical for skin development and stem cell function, independent of its catalytic activities. This highlights the complex and diverse roles of PRC1 in skin biology, emphasizing its importance in ensuring a precise developmental program for skin epithelium and stem cells.