RRC ID 4801
Author Kawasaki A, Kumasaka M, Satoh A, Suzuki M, Tamura K, Goto T, Asashima M, Yamamoto H.
Title Mitf contributes to melanosome distribution and melanophore dendricity.
Journal Pigment Cell Melanoma Res
Abstract Mitf is a transcription factor of the basic/helix-loop-helix/leucine-zipper family which is indispensable for development of melanocytes and the retinal pigment epithelium. Our previous work using Xenopus laevis as a model system suggested that Mitf regulates melanosome dispersal in vivo though whether this was via melanosome transport or melanophore dendricity was not obvious. To better understand the role of Mitf, we have now characterized neural tube cultures from wild-type Mitf-injected or a dominant-negative Mitf-injected embryos and compared them with controls. In vitro, lower levels of Mitf activity induced less dendritic melanophores with aggregated melanosomes, whereas melanophores overexpressing Mitf had an extensive dendritic morphology with dispersed melanosomes. Moreover, immunorfluoresence assays reveal that expression of a dominant-negative Mitf leads to decreased Rab27a expression. These results suggest that Mitf is involved in the regulation of melanosome transport and the level of dendricity in melanophores.
Volume 21(1)
Pages 56-62
Published 2008-2-1
DOI 10.1111/j.1755-148X.2007.00420.x
PII PCR420
PMID 18353143
MeSH Animals Biological Transport Cell Shape* Embryo Culture Techniques Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental Genotype Melanophores / metabolism* Melanosomes / metabolism* Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / genetics Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / metabolism* Mutation Neural Tube / cytology Neural Tube / metabolism* Phenotype Transfection Xenopus Proteins / genetics Xenopus Proteins / metabolism* Xenopus laevis / embryology Xenopus laevis / genetics Xenopus laevis / metabolism rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
IF 3.683
Times Cited 20
WOS Category DERMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY CELL BIOLOGY
Resource
Clawed frogs / Newts