Epidermal Stem Cells Are Defined by Global Histone Modifications that Are Altered by Myc-Induced Differentiation
2007
How Myc Affects Stem Cells in the Skin
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Frye Michaela, Fisher Amanda G., Watt Fiona M.
Primary Institution: Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research, University of Cambridge
Hypothesis
Do chromatin modifications in epidermal stem cells change when Myc is activated?
Conclusion
Myc activation leads to significant changes in chromatin modifications that drive epidermal stem cells to differentiate.
Supporting Evidence
- Myc activation causes epidermal stem cells to leave their niche and differentiate.
- Chromatin modifications associated with stem cells were identified and analyzed.
- Low levels of H4 acetylation are a marker of human interfollicular epidermal stem cells.
Takeaway
When a protein called Myc is turned on, it makes skin stem cells change and grow into different types of skin cells.
Methodology
The study involved analyzing histone modifications in epidermal stem cells and observing the effects of Myc activation in transgenic mice.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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