The Suppression Effects of Fat Mass and Obesity Associated Gene on the Hair Follicle-Derived Neural Crest Stem Cells Differentiating into Melanocyte by N6-Methyladenosine Modifying Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor

February 2023 in “ International Journal of Stem Cells ”

Zhiwei Shang, Haixia Feng, Liye Xia

TLDR The FTO gene hinders stem cells in hair follicles from becoming pigment cells.

The study found that the Fat Mass and Obesity Associated (FTO) gene suppressed the ability of hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) to differentiate into melanocytes (MCs) through the modification of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) by N6-methyladenosine (m6A). This suggests that FTO played a role in regulating the differentiation process of these stem cells into melanocytes, which are crucial for pigmentation.

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