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Epigenetic regulation of skin: focus on the Polycomb complex

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Abstract

Chromatin regulators have recently emerged as key players in the control of tissue development and tumorigenesis. One specific chromatin regulator, the Polycomb complex, has been shown to regulate the identity of embryonic stem cells, but its role in controlling fates of multipotent progenitors in developing tissues is still largely unknown. Recent findings have revealed that this complex plays a critical role in control of skin stem cell renewal and differentiation. Moreover, the expression of Polycomb complex components is often aberrant in skin diseases, including skin cancers. This review will detail recent findings on Polycomb control of skin and highlight critical unknown questions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Atran Building, AB7-10B, 1428 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10128, USA

    Jisheng Zhang, Evan Bardot & Elena Ezhkova

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  1. Jisheng Zhang
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  2. Evan Bardot
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  3. Elena Ezhkova
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Correspondence to Elena Ezhkova.

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J. Zhang and E. Bardot contributed equally to this work.

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Zhang, J., Bardot, E. & Ezhkova, E. Epigenetic regulation of skin: focus on the Polycomb complex. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 69, 2161–2172 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-012-0920-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-012-0920-x

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