LPA-producing enzyme PA-PLA1 regulates hair follicle development by modulating EGFR signaling

While referee #1 express some interest in the study, I am afraid that the other two referees are not persuaded that the analysis is well suited for publication here. Referee #2 finds that further definitive insight into the identity and regulation of the protease responsible for TGFalpha cleavage is needed. Referee #3 while appreciating that the findings extend previous work, s/he is also not persuaded that advance and insight provided is sufficient to consider publication in the EMBO Journal. Given these opinions and as the EMBO Journal only accepts manuscripts which receive an enthusiastic response upon initial review, I am afraid that our conclusion in this case must be a negative one, and I have therefore decided to return the manuscript to you at this point, with the message that we cannot offer to publish it.