¹Program in Epithelial Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA

Correspondence: EG Huntzicker, Program in Epithelial Biology, CCSR 2145, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford University school of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA. E-mail: oro@stanford.edu

Received 13 February 2007; Revised 15 April 2007; Accepted 24 April 2007.

Abstract

Hair follicle development and maintenance require precise reciprocal signaling interactions between the epithelium and underlying dermis. Three major developmental signaling pathways, Wnt, Sonic hedgehog, and NF-B/Edar, are indispensable for this process and, when aberrantly activated, can lead to skin and appendage neoplasms. Recent data point to protein polyubiquitination as playing a central role in regulating the timing, duration, and location of signaling. Here we review how polyubiquitination regulates the stability and interaction of key signaling components that control hair follicle development and regeneration.