Flies with Skin Blisters

Abstract

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) belongs to a family of genetic conditions that cause the skin to be fragile and to blister easily. Although most of the genes involved are known, the molecular mechanisms underlying keratin aggregation remain obscure. In this issue of the Journal, Bohnekamp et al. report on a novel EBS model that is based on the de novo formation of keratin filaments in "keratin null flies.".