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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis
Published on: April 1, 2022
Desmoglein genes are up-regulated in the pk mutant mouse
Jingqing Luo1, Lin Zhang, Kurt Stenn
1The Skin Research Center of Johnson & Johnson CPWW, Skillman, NJ 08558, USA. jluol@prdus.jnj.com
Abstract:
Plucked (pk) is an autosomal recessive mouse mutation with a hair phenotype that arose spontaneously in the DBA/2J strain. Histological studies indicate that adult pk mutant mice lose truncal hair because of the scarring of follicles due to an apparent obstruction of the outward movement of the hair shaft within the follicular canal. We mapped the pk mutant phenotype to a 1.1cM region of chromosome 18 (between 6.6 and 7.7 cM from the centromere) using 370 backcross progeny. Within this region, among others, are genes for desmosome cadherins. Desmosome cadherins are interesting candidates because of their critical roles for cell-cell adhesion in epidermal function. Northern Blot analysis of wild-type and pk mutant mice indicates that expression of both desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) and desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) is up-regulated in the skin of mutant pk mice.
Insights
The Plucked (pk) mouse mutation causes hair loss due to follicular scarring and obstructed hair shafts. Gene expression analysis reveals up-regulation of desmoglein 1 and desmoglein 3 in mutant mice skin.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The Plucked (pk) mutation is an autosomal recessive hair phenotype observed in DBA/2J mice.
- Histological analysis shows follicular scarring and obstructed hair shaft movement in adult pk mutant mice, leading to hair loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the genetic locus of the pk mutation.
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the hair loss phenotype.
Main Methods:
- Genetic mapping using 370 backcross progeny to identify the chromosomal location of the pk mutation.
- Northern Blot analysis to assess gene expression in wild-type and pk mutant mouse skin.
Main Results:
- The pk mutation was mapped to a 1.1cM region on chromosome 18.
- Desmoglein 1 (Dsg1) and Desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) gene expression were found to be up-regulated in the skin of pk mutant mice.
- The identified chromosomal region contains genes for desmosome cadherins, crucial for epidermal cell adhesion.
Conclusions:
- The Plucked (pk) mutation is genetically mapped to chromosome 18.
- Up-regulation of Dsg1 and Dsg3 suggests their potential involvement in the hair follicle pathology observed in pk mutant mice.
- Desmosome cadherins are implicated in the pathogenesis of this hair loss phenotype.
