Defects in epidermal morphogenesis in mammalian Grainyhead-like gene deficient mice

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The cells of the skin play an essential role in development of the mammalian embryo. They are critical for closure of the brain and spinal cord, for forming a protective barrier against infection and noxious stimuli, for preventing excess fluid loss, for repair of defects and wounds, and for the generation of hair. Our laboratory has identified a family of genes that are critical for all these processes. Loss of individual members of the family has different consequences and the aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the genes to further our understanding of the skin and its functions. These studies have direct and important relevance to human conditions such as the congenital birth defects spina bifida and anencephaly, and infant prematurity where the skin is underdeveloped and lacks barrier function. They also have relevance to wound healing and to conditions in which hair growth is affected, such as alopecia. We believe that therapeutic interventions and prenatal diagnostic tests could evolve from these studies.