TAp63 Prevents Premature Aging by Promoting Adult Stem Cell Maintenance

Xiaohua Su, Maryline Paris, Young Jin Gi, Kenneth Y. Tsai, Min Soon Cho, Yu Li Lin, Jeffrey A. Biernaskie, Satrajit Sinha, Carol Prives, Larysa H. Pevny, Freda D. Miller, Elsa R. Flores

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

201 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cellular mechanisms that regulate the maintenance of adult tissue stem cells are still largely unknown. We show here that the p53 family member, TAp63, is essential for maintenance of epidermal and dermal precursors and that, in its absence, these precursors senesce and skin ages prematurely. Specifically, we have developed a TAp63 conditional knockout mouse and used it to ablate TAp63 in the germline (TAp63-/-) or in K14-expressing cells in the basal layer of the epidermis (TAp63fl/fl;K14cre+). TAp63-/- mice age prematurely and develop blisters, skin ulcerations, senescence of hair follicle-associated dermal and epidermal cells, and decreased hair morphogenesis. These phenotypes are likely due to loss of TAp63 in dermal and epidermal precursors since both cell types show defective proliferation, early senescence, and genomic instability. These data indicate that TAp63 serves to maintain adult skin stem cells by regulating cellular senescence and genomic stability, thereby preventing premature tissue aging.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)64-75
Number of pages12
JournalCell Stem Cell
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 2009

Keywords

  • STEMCELL

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Genetically Engineered Mouse Facility
  • Research Animal Support Facility

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'TAp63 Prevents Premature Aging by Promoting Adult Stem Cell Maintenance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this