Important components of hair and their genetic control have already emerged in amphibians
Vienna (OTS) – The development of hair was central to the evolution of mammals and therefore also humans. However, the evolutionary origin of the hair genetic program was previously unknown. An international research team led by Leopold Eckhart from MedUni Vienna has now been able to show that important components of hair and their genetic control have already evolved in amphibians. Human hair therefore shows unexpected similarities to the claws of clawed frogs. The results were recently published in the specialist journal “Nature Communications”.
To investigate the evolution of skin appendages, which include human hair and nails, the MedUni Vienna research team, in collaboration with the University of Ghent (Belgium), used the tropical clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis) as an experimental model. The study found that the horny claws of Xenopus frogs consist of special proteins (keratins) that are very similar to the main components of mammalian hair and nails. The formation of these keratins was shown to be controlled by a specific gene, Hoxc13, in both humans and frogs.
“It is known that patients with mutations in the Hoxc13 gene have defects in the growth of hair and nails. In our study, we were able to block the formation of claws in the clawed frog by switching off this gene,” reports Leopold Eckhart from the University Clinic for Dermatology at MedUni Vienna. These results indicate that the genetic program for the development of keratinized claws arose in a common ancestor of humans and frogs. “During the evolution of mammals, the claw formation program was modified for the development of hair,” says Eckhart.
Important research question clarified
The evolution of terrestrial vertebrates is characterized by the appearance of an effective skin barrier against water loss in a dry environment and by the development of hard, keratinized skin appendages such as claws, scales, feathers and hair, which are used for prey capture, protection, support of special forms of locomotion and thermal insulation are crucial. That is why the evolution of skin appendages represents an important research question. The findings from the project, which is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), contribute to clarifying the evolutionary origin of cornified skin appendages and also help to better understand the regulation of hair in humans. “Our publication will stimulate further exciting studies in basic and preclinical research,” concludes Leopold Eckhart.
Publikation: Nature Communications
Evolutionary origin of Hoxc13-dependent skin appendages in amphibians;
Marjolein Carron, Attila Placido Sachslehner, Munevver Burcu Cicekdal, Inge Bruggeman, Suzan Demuynck, Bahar Golabi, Elfride De Baere, Wim Declercq, Erwin Tschachler, Kris Vleminckx, Leopold Eckhart;
Doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46373-x
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