Expression domains in the skin of genes affected by the nude mutation and identified by gene expression profiling

Although several genes affected by the nude mutation inactivating the transcription factor Whn have recently been identified, a comprehensive molecular analysis of the nude phenotype is still missing. Gene expression profiling of wildtype and nude mice back skin reveals several so far unknown differences in mRNA levels and demonstrates that microarray hybridization is ideal to identify even quantitative changes in expression. Some genes are upregulated in the absence of Whn. Most of the differentially expressed genes are downregulated in nude skin. Our results identify metallothionein IV among these genes. This is the first report on metallothionein IV expression in the murine hair follicle; its expression domain almost completely overlaps that of Whn.