Targeted Knockout of β-Catenin in Adult Melanocyte Stem Cells Using a Mouse Line, Dct::CreERT2, Results in Disrupted Stem Cell Renewal and Pigmentation Defects

October 2020 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Madeleine Le Coz, Zackie Aktary, Natsuki Watanabe, Ichiro Yajima, Marie Pouteaux, Nisamanee Charoenchon, Tsutomu Motohashi, Takahiro Kunisada, André Corvelo, Lionel Larue

The study used Dct::CreERT2 transgenic mice to explore the role of β-catenin in melanocyte stem cell (McSC) renewal and pigmentation. Knocking out β-catenin in McSCs led to disrupted stem cell renewal and pigmentation defects, causing permanent hair whitening in the mice. This demonstrated that β-catenin was essential for McSC renewal and mature melanocyte production. The findings highlighted a previously unreported function of β-catenin in McSC renewal, and the Dct::CreERT2 mouse line was established as a valuable tool for studying adult McSCs and pigmentation.

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