Rahbar, Ramtin2013-11-072013-11-0720042004Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-06, page: 2075.http://hdl.handle.net/10393/26751http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-18352To elucidate the role of Claudin 6, a member of a new super family of TJ molecules, in the skin, we overexpressed it using the promoter for the differentiation marker, involucrin (Carrot et. al. 1993). Homozygous INV-Claudin 6 animals exhibit epidermal differentiation aberrations that result in incomplete formation of EPB and neonatal death (Turksen and Troy 2002). Heterozygote animals have milder EPB defects and survive to adulthood. All heterozygotes have pronounced abnormalities in their coat characterized by fuzzy hairs and a matte texture. In agreement with our hypothesis, the anagen phase of the hair cycle (starting at P14) was shortened, and the catagen-telogen transition was prolonged. Expression of epidermal differentiation markers K14 K5, K15, K1, Loricrine, involucrin, Filaggrin and transglutaminase3 were perturbed in the transgenic epidermis. The expression of hair keratins was downregulated in Inv-Claudin 6 hair follicles while the expression of K5, K6, K15 and K17 was maintained. Overall, changes in the differentiation program, abnormalities in hair fibers and hair cycling support the notion that Claudins are crucial members of signaling pathways) which modulate cell physiology and epidermal and hair follicle differentiation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)115 p.enBiology, Cell.Thesis