Ctbp1 Overexpression in Keratinocytes Perturbs Skin Homeostasis

The study investigated the effects of overexpressing CtBP1 in keratinocytes using transgenic mice, revealing that it caused skin abnormalities such as epidermal hyperproliferation, impaired differentiation, and loss of E-cadherin. These changes led to a hair loss phenotype due to decreased expression of Dlx3, a key regulator of hair follicle differentiation. CtBP1 directly suppressed Dlx3 transcription, resulting in abnormal hair follicles and reduced expression of Dlx3 target genes. The research provided evidence of CtBP1's role in disrupting skin and hair follicle homeostasis, suggesting its pathogenic role in hair follicle morphogenesis and differentiation.