Trps1 deficiency inhibits the morphogenesis of secondary hair follicles via decreased Noggin expression

UVB-induced TRPS1 regulates MITF transcription activity to promote skin pigmentation

Hyperpigmented dermatoses are characterized by increased skin pigmentation caused by genetic, environmental factors and inflammation, which lasts a long time and is difficult to treat. Ultraviolet (UV), especially ultraviolet B (UVB), is the primary external factor inducing skin pigmentation. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. Through analysis of GEO datasets from four UV-exposed skin cell/tissue samples, we found that TRPS1 is the only gene differentially expressed in multiple datasets (GSE22083, GSE67098 and GSE70280) and highly positively correlated with the expression of key melanogenesis genes. Consistently, we observed that TRPS1 is highly expressed in sun-exposed skin tissues compared to non-exposed skin. Additionally, the expression of TRPS1 was also significantly upregulated after UVB irradiation in isolated skin tissues and melanocytes, while knockdown of TRPS1 expression inhibited the UVB-induced melanogenesis. Further research revealed that overexpression of TRPS1 increased melanin content and tyrosinase activity in MNT1 cells, as well as upregulated the expression levels of key melanogenesis genes (MITF, TYR, TYRP1, DCT). In contrast, inhibition of TRPS1 expression showed the opposite effect. Moreover, we found that TRPS1 can bind to the promoter region of MITF, inhibiting the expression of MITF can antagonize the melanogenesis induced by TRPS1. In conclusion, UVB-induced TRPS1 promotes melanogenesis by activating the transcriptional activity of MITF.

Functional mechanisms of TRPS1 in disease progression and its potential role in personalized medicine

The gene of transcriptional repressor GATA binding 1 (TRPS1), as an atypical GATA transcription factor, has received considerable attention in a plethora of physiological and pathological processes, and may become a promising biomarker for targeted therapies in diseases and tumors. However, there still lacks a comprehensive exploration of its functions and promising clinical applications. Herein, relevant researches published in English from 2000 to 2022 were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar and MEDLINE, concerning the roles of TRPS1 in organ differentiation and tumorigenesis. This systematic review predominantly focused on summarizing the structural characteristics and biological mechanisms of TRPS1, its involvement in tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS), its participation in the development of multiple tissues, the recent advances of its vital features in metabolic disorders as well as malignant tumors, in order to prospect its potential applications in disease detection and cancer targeted therapy. From the clinical perspective, the deeply and thoroughly understanding of the complicated context-dependent and cell-lineage-specific mechanisms of TRPS1 would not only gain novel insights into the complex etiology of diseases, but also provide the fundamental basis for the development of therapeutic drugs targeting both TRPS1 and its critical cofactors, which would facilitate individualized treatment.

Identification and characterization of circRNAs in the skin during wool follicle development in Aohan fine wool sheep

BACKGROUND

Aohan fine wool sheep (AFWS) is a historically bred fine wool sheep, cultivated in China. The wool has excellent quality and good textile performance. Investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate wool growth is important to improve wool quality and yield. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are widely expressed non-coding RNAs that can act as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to bind to miRNAs. Although circRNAs have been studied in many fields, research on their activity in sheep wool follicles is limited. To understand the regulation of circRNAs in the growth of fine wool in sheep, we used RNA-Seq to identify circRNAs in sheep shoulder skin samples at three developmental stages: embryonic day 90 (E90d), embryonic day 120 (E120d), and at birth (Birth).

RESULTS

We identified 8753 circRNAs and found that 918 were differentially-expressed. We then analyzed the classification and characteristic of the circRNAs in sheep shoulder skin. Using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), we identified the source genes of circRNAs, which were mainly enriched in cellular component organization, regulation of primary metabolic processes, tight junctions, and the cGMP-PKG and AMPK signaling pathways. In addition, we predicted interactions between 17 circRNAs and eight miRNAs, using miRanda software. Based on the significant pathways, we speculate that circ_0005720, circ_0001754, circ_0008036, circ_0004032, circ_0005174, circ_0005519, and circ_0007826 might play an important role in regulating wool follicle growth in AFWS. Seven circRNAs were randomly selected to validate the RNA-Seq results, using qRT-PCR.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide more information about circRNAs regulation of wool follicle development in AFWS, and establish a solid foundation for future research.

Trps1-deficient transplanted skin gave rise to a substantial amount of hair: Trps1 is unnecessary for hair development

Trps1 is considered as an important gene involved in the interactions between the epithelial and mesenchymal cells during hair follicle morphogenesis. The number of hair follicles in Trps1 Knockout (KO) newborn mouse skin was significantly lower than that in wild-type (WT) newborn skin. To gain insight into the functional role of Trps1 in hair development, we transplanted Trps1 KO newborn mouse skin on the backs of nude mice and examined hair growth at day 42 after transplantation. Surprisingly, transplanted skin from Trps1 KO newborn mice gave rise to a substantial amount of hair, although the hair was softer than that of WT mice. Histological examination revealed that the diameter of both hair follicles and hair shafts were significantly lower, whereas the density of hair follicles showed no significant difference between the Trps1 KO and WT mice. We introduce mouse hair follicles as a fascinating model to study the functions of Trps1 in mouse hair growth and pathology. This model suggests that the function of Trps1 is unnecessary for the development of normal hair follicles and hair shafts, although the loss of Trps1 affects the diameters of hair follicles and hair shaft.

Cashmere growth control in Liaoning cashmere goat by ovarian carcinoma immunoreactive antigen-like protein 2 and decorin genes

Objective

The study investigated the biological functions and mechanisms for controlling cashmere growth of Liaoning cashmere goat by ovarian carcinoma immunoreactive antigen-like protein 2 (OCIAD2) and decorin (DCN) genes.

Methods

cDNA library of Liaoning cashmere goat was constructed in early stages. OCIAD2 and DCN genes related to cashmere growth were identified by homology analysis comparison. The expression location of OCIAD2 and DCN genes in primary and secondary hair follicles (SF) was performed using in situ hybridization. The expression of OCIAD2 and DCN genes in primary and SF was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

In situ hybridization revealed that OCIAD2 and DCN were expressed in the inner root sheath of Liaoning cashmere goat hair follicles. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that these genes were highly expressed in SF during anagen, while these genes were highly expressed in primary hair follicle in catagen phase. Melatonin (MT) inhibited the expression of OCIAD2 and promoted the expression of DCN. Insulin-like growth factors-1 (IGF-1) inhibited the expression of OCIAD2 and DCN, while fibroblast growth factors 5 (FGF5) promoted the expression of these genes. MT and IGF-1 promoted OCIAD2 synergistically, while MT and FGF5 inhibited the genes simultaneously. MT+IGF-1/MT+FGF5 inhibited DCN gene. RNAi technology showed that OCIAD2 expression was promoted, while that of DCN was inhibited.

Conclusion

Activation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway up-regulated OCIAD2 expression and stimulated SF to control cell proliferation. DCN gene affected hair follicle morphogenesis and periodic changes by promoting transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and BMP signaling pathways. OCIAD2 and DCN genes have opposite effects on TGF-β signaling pathway and inhibit each other to affect the hair growth.