Hair shaft differentiation and the induction of hair follicle placodes in the mammalian embryonic surface ectoderm require β-catenin signalling but can activation of this signal alone globally program ectodermal cells to a hair follicle fate? The answer, report Sarah Millar and co-workers on p. 2161, is yes. However, controlled downregulation of β-catenin signalling is needed for the development of a normal fur coat. The researchers found that hair follicle placodes are expanded and induced prematurely in mouse embryos that express a mutant dominant-active form of endogenous epithelial β-catenin. These premature placodes fail to invaginate but precociously express hair shaft keratins. Eventually, the whole epidermis adopts a hair follicle fate and epidermal stratification is disrupted. In addition, the mutant embryonic skin becomes prematurely innervated and pigmented. Thus, the researchers conclude,β-catenin not only promotes hair follicle placode and hair shaft fate,but also activates the signals that attract nerve fibres and melanoblasts into the developing hair follicles and suppresses epidermal differentiation.
Hair-raising β-catenin signalling
Hair-raising β-catenin signalling. Development 15 June 2008; 135 (12): e1204. doi:
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