The Skinny on Slug: Roles in Epidermis and Skin Health

The document discussed the zinc finger transcription factor Slug (Snai2) and its various roles in the epidermis, including skin development, hair growth, wound healing, skin cancer, and sunburn. Slug was expressed in basal keratinocytes and hair follicles, playing a crucial role in maintaining epidermal homeostasis and coordinating the skin's response to external stimuli. It was rapidly induced by growth factors and injurious agents, influencing keratinocyte responses such as differentiation, adhesion, motility, and inflammatory mediator production. Slug's function in the epidermis was distinct from the related Snail transcription factor.