Identification of a novel SCD gene and expression of the SCD gene family in mouse skin.

We have refined the position of asebia locus by genotyping DNA from more than 600 backcross mice derived from asebia mouse and a genetically unrelated strain. One of the candidate genes in the locus is stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD). Previously two members of this gene family, namely SCD1 and SCD2, have been described. We have found, for the first time, that these SCD genes are expressed in skin. Moreover, we have identified a third species of SCD in the mouse skin. The most prominent SCD species is SCD1 in the mouse skin. The implications of this gene family to skin are discussed.