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Msx2-deficient mice exhibit progressive hair loss, starting at P14 and followed by successive cycles of wavelike regrowth and loss. During the hair cycle, Msx2 deficiency shortens anagen phase, but prolongs catagen and telogen. Msx2-deficient hair shafts are structurally abnormal. Molecular analyses suggest a Bmp4/Bmp2/Msx2/Foxn1 acidic hair keratin pathway is involved. These structurally abnormal hairs are easily dislodged in catagen implying a precocious exogen. Deficiency in Msx2 helps to reveal the distinctive skin domains on the same mouse. Each domain cycles asynchronously -although hairs within each skin domain cycle in synchronized waves. Thus, the combinatorial defects in hair cycling and differentiation, together with concealed skin domains, account for the cyclic alopecia phenotype.

Msx2 is a homeobox gene with a regulatory role in inductive tissue interactions, including those that pattern the skull. We demonstrated previously that individuals affected with an autosomal dominant disorder of skull morphogenesis (craniosynostosis, Boston type) bear a mutated form of Msx2 in which a histidine is substituted for a highly conserved proline in position 7 of the N-terminal arm of the homeodomain (p148h). The mutation behaves as a dominant positive in transgenic mice. The location of the mutation in the N-terminal arm of the homeodomain, a region which in other homeodomain proteins plays a key part in protein-protein interactions, prompted us to undertake a yeast two hybrid screen for Msx2-interacting proteins. Here we present a functional analysis of one such protein, designated Miz1 (Msx-interacting-zinc finger). Miz1 is a zinc finger-containing protein whose amino acid sequence closely resembles that of the yeast protein, Nfi-1. Together these proteins define a new, highly conserved protein family. Analysis of Miz1 expression by Northern blot and in situ hybridization revealed a spatiotemporal pattern that overlaps that of Msx2. Further, Miz1 is a sequence specific DNA binding protein, and it can function as a positive-acting transcription factor. Miz1 interacts directly with Msx2 in vitro and enhances the DNA binding affinity of Msx2 for a functionally important element in the rat osteocalcin promoter. The p148h mutation in Msx2 augments the Miz1 effect on Msx2 DNA binding, suggesting a reason why this mutation behaves in vivo as a dominant positive, and providing a potential explanation of the craniosynostosis phenotype.

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The control of hair growth in the adult mammalian coat is a fascinating topic which has just begun to be explored with molecular genetic tools. Complex hair cycle domains and regenerative hair waves are present in normal adult (> 2 month) mice, but more apparent in mutants with cyclic alopecia phenotypes. Each hair cycle domain consists of initiation site(s), a propagating wave and boundaries. By analyzing the dynamics of hair growth, time required for regeneration after plucking, in situ hybridization and reporter activity, we showed that there is oscillation of intra-follicular Wnt signaling which is synchronous with hair cycling, and there is oscillation of dermal bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling which is asynchronous with hair cycling. The interactions of these two rhythms lead to the recognition of refractory and competent phases in the telogen, and autonomous and propagating phases in the anagen. Boundaries form when propagating anagen waves reach follicles which are in refractory telogen. Experiments showed that Krt14-Nog mice have shortened refractory telogen and simplified wave dynamics. Krt14-Nog skin grafts exhibit non-autonomous interactions with surrounding host skin. Implantation of BMP coated beads into competent telogen skin prevents hair wave propagation around the bead. Thus, we have developed a new molecular understanding of the classic early concepts of inhibitory "chalone", suggesting that stem cells within the hair follicle micro-environment, or other organs, are subject to a higher level of macro-environmental regulation. Such a novel understanding has important implications in the field of regenerative medicine. The unexpected links with Bmp2 expression in subcutaneous adipocytes has implications for systems biology and Evo-Devo.

Msx2 is believed to play a role in regulating bone development, particularly in sutures of cranial bone. In this study we investigated the effects of retroviral-mediated overexpression of Msx2 mRNA, in both sense and antisense orientations, on primary cultured chick calvarial osteoblasts. Unregulated overexpression of sense mRNA produced high levels of Msx2 protein throughout the culture period, preventing the expected fall as the cells differentiate. The continued high expression of Msx2 prevented osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of the extracellular matrix. In contrast, expression of antisense Msx2 RNA decreased proliferation and accelerated differentiation. In other studies, we showed that the Msx2 promoter was widely expressed during the proliferative phase of mouse calvarial osteoblast cultures but was preferentially downregulated in osteoblastic nodules. These results support a model in which Msx2 prevents differentiation and stimulates proliferation of cells at the extreme ends of the osteogenic fronts of the calvariae, facilitating expansion of the skull and closure of the suture.

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