H2AK119ub Dynamics Control Hair Follicle Stem Cell Quiescence

    December 2025 in “ Nature Communications
    Pooja Flora, Meng-Yen Li, Yudong Zhou, Maria Mercédes, Xiang Yu Zheng, Phillip M. Galbo, Deyou Zheng, Elena Ezhkova
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    TLDR H2AK119ub helps keep hair follicle stem cells in a resting state, preventing early aging.
    The study explores the role of the histone modification H2AK119ub in regulating hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) quiescence and activation. It demonstrates that H2AK119ub acts as a molecular switch, integrating fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signals with the quiescent transcriptional program in HFSCs. Loss of H2AK119ub shortens the quiescent phase, leading to repeated HFSC activation and eventual stem cell exhaustion, resembling aging tissue. The research highlights the critical role of H2AK119ub in maintaining tissue homeostasis and suggests its modulation by FGF signaling is essential for hair follicle regeneration. The findings underscore the importance of H2AK119ub in safeguarding stem cell longevity and suggest potential therapeutic strategies for modulating epigenetic states to support stem cell function in aging tissues.
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