Identification of Trichohyalin-Like 1, an S100 Fused-Type Protein Selectively Expressed in Hair Follicles

The study identified trichohyalin-like 1 (TCHHL1), a novel S100 fused-type protein, which was selectively expressed in hair follicles and localized specifically within the distal inner root sheath (IRS). TCHHL1 was an evolutionarily conserved gene, predating therian mammals, and suggested to play a fundamental role in hair morphogenesis. The research emphasized the importance of TCHHL1 in hair biology, indicating the need for future studies to explore its functional role in hair growth and development.