The study by Lechler and Fuchs investigates the mechanism of stratification and differentiation in mammalian skin, focusing on asymmetric cell divisions. They found that basal epidermal cells divide asymmetrically, generating a committed suprabasal cell and a proliferative basal cell. This process is crucial for stratification, as perpendicular spindle orientations during mitosis align the daughter cells correctly. The study also highlights the essential roles of integrins, cadherins, and proteins like mInsc, LGN, Par3, and NuMA in maintaining the apical localization of these complexes, which is critical for proper spindle orientation and asymmetric cell division. The findings provide a framework for understanding how the epidermis maintains its columnar structure and functions as a barrier.The study by Lechler and Fuchs investigates the mechanism of stratification and differentiation in mammalian skin, focusing on asymmetric cell divisions. They found that basal epidermal cells divide asymmetrically, generating a committed suprabasal cell and a proliferative basal cell. This process is crucial for stratification, as perpendicular spindle orientations during mitosis align the daughter cells correctly. The study also highlights the essential roles of integrins, cadherins, and proteins like mInsc, LGN, Par3, and NuMA in maintaining the apical localization of these complexes, which is critical for proper spindle orientation and asymmetric cell division. The findings provide a framework for understanding how the epidermis maintains its columnar structure and functions as a barrier.