EGFR-ras-raf signaling in epidermal stem cells: roles in hair follicle development, regeneration, tissue remodeling and epidermal cancers

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Sep 25;14(10):19361-84. doi: 10.3390/ijms141019361.

Abstract

The mammalian skin is the largest organ of the body and its outermost layer, the epidermis, undergoes dynamic lifetime renewal through the activity of somatic stem cell populations. The EGFR-Ras-Raf pathway has a well-described role in skin development and tumor formation. While research mainly focuses on its role in cutaneous tumor initiation and maintenance, much less is known about Ras signaling in the epidermal stem cells, which are the main targets of skin carcinogenesis. In this review, we briefly discuss the properties of the epidermal stem cells and review the role of EGFR-Ras-Raf signaling in keratinocyte stem cells during homeostatic and pathological conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Epidermis / physiology*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism
  • Hair Follicle / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / physiology*
  • raf Kinases / genetics*
  • raf Kinases / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / genetics*
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • ErbB Receptors
  • raf Kinases
  • ras Proteins