This article discusses a rare condition called PLACK syndrome, which is characterized by painless shedding of the outer layer of skin. The article presents a case study of an 11-year-old boy with PLACK syndrome who also experienced patchy hair loss on the scalp, a condition known as alopecia areata. The study identified a novel homozygous mutation in the CAST gene, which encodes calpastatin, a protein that inhibits calpain, an enzyme involved in cell processes. The article suggests a potential link between the CAST gene mutation and the development of alopecia areata, and proposes further research to explore this connection. [Extracted from the article]