Mybs in mouse hair follicle development

• B-Myb and c-Myb were detected during development of mouse hair follicles.
• In adult mouse, expression of Mybs was not specific for the hair follicle stem cell niche.
• c-Myb was localized in cells leaving the niche.
• Mybs are supposed to play a role in hair follicle maintenance.

The Myb transcription factors are involved in essential cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death. Biological functions carried out by specific Myb proteins are distinct. Hair follicles are ectodermal-derived organs with cycling character of the growth resulting from the presence of somatic stem cells. In this study, we followed the expression of the Myb proteins in developing hair follicles and in the hair follicle stem cell niche by immunofluorescence staining. During hair follicle development, B-Myb was present in a few cells located in the area of cell division; c-Myb was abundant postanally in dividing cells but also in keratinizing zone. In addition, c-Myb was also detected in cells under the hair follicle bulge. These findings indicate possible involvement of c-Myb in regulation of activated stem cells leaving the niche.

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