1346 Functional roles of Krox20 (Egr2) in Epithelial Stem Cells

Epidermal stem cells control the homeostasis and regeneration of skin hair through their ability to self-renew for extended periods time differentiation into multiple lineages. KROX20, a zinc finger-containing transcription factor, mediates signaling pathways modulate cell activation quiescence in various tissues. In recent study, we identified population epithelial-derived Krox20-expressing upper follicle that go terminal give rise structural component shaft. We further showed follicular Krox20-lineage mediate melanocyte maturation matrix produce pigmentation. Here, report depletion Krox20 expressing vivo resulted loss ability. To more thoroughly investigate role development, set out elucidate physiological functions KROX20 protein epithelial cells. demonstrated deletion increased epidermal thickness. On other hand, overexpression vitroresulted downregulation pro-apoptotic markers upregulation markers, suggesting potential maintenance stemness regulation survival Our results point importance development homeostasis.