Hair on a gene string: recent advances in understanding the molecular genetics of hair loss.
The hair follicle is finally, after remaining a mystery for many years, beginning to yield some of its molecular secrets. The past decade has seen unprecedented and ever quickening advances in understanding the molecular genetics of the many single gene disorders, which have alopecia as a major feature. This article reviews recent novel clinical and experimental observations, which have shed new light on the basic molecular mechanisms underlying hair morphogenesis, differentiation, keratinization and cycling. We consider recent progress in understanding structural hair defects and complex traits and consider where future developments are likely to occur.
Department of Dermatology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK. Irvo67@hotmail.com
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Irvine
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Christiano
D000505:Alopecia / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004476:Ectodermal Dysplasia / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000254:growth & development; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D006801:Humans; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D051191:Plakophilins; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D051176:beta Catenin
C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; C495267:CTNNB1 protein, mouse; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D051821:Lymphoid Enhancer-Binding Factor 1; D051191:Plakophilins; D011506:Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051176:beta Catenin