Dear Editor,

The p63 gene encodes six transcription factors, which are generated by the use of two promoters, giving rise to TA and ΔN N-termini, and alternative splicing, giving rise to three C-termini, termed α, β, and γ.1 p63 is expressed primarily in stratified epithelia, including the epidermis, as well as in epithelial appendages.2 To investigate the role of p63 in these tissues, several p63 knockout mice have been generated.3, 4, 5, 6 Of these, p63Brdm2/Brdm2 mice, generated by the Bradley laboratory,6 have been widely used by numerous research groups. These groups have consistently reported that p63Brdm2/Brdm2 mice fail to develop an epidermis, internal epithelia, and epithelial appendages.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Wolff et al.18 have recently re-evaluated the p63Brdm2/Brdm2 mice and reported that early stages of epidermal and hair follicle morphogenesis occur in these mice. Further, Wolff et al. assert that one or more truncated p63 proteins are expressed from the p63Brdm2 allele, leading them to conclude that these truncated p63 proteins are sufficient to initiate the early stages of epidermal morphogenesis.

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