Pmel17 expression is Mitf-dependent and reveals cranial melanoblast migration during murine development

Gene Expr Patterns. 2003 Dec;3(6):703-7. doi: 10.1016/j.modgep.2003.07.002.

Abstract

In situ hybridization (ISH) analysis of the murine melanosomal gene, Pmel17, demonstrated robust expression in the presumptive retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) starting at E9.5, and in neural crest-derived melanoblasts starting at E10.5. Pmel17 expression is not detectable in embryos mutated for Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf), demonstrating transcriptional dependence of Pmel17 on Mitf in the RPE. Pmel17 expression in dorsal regions precedes dopachrome tautomerase (Dct) ISH expression, suggesting Pmel17 identifies melanoblasts at an earlier developmental stage. Dorsally localized Pmel17-positive cells at the forebrain/midbrain and midbrain/hindbrain boundaries at E10.5 reveal migratory pathways for cranial melanoblasts that have not been previously described in mouse using Dct expression.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / embryology*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cell Movement
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Embryo, Mammalian / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Melanocytes / cytology
  • Melanocytes / metabolism
  • Melanocytes / physiology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Mice / embryology*
  • Mice / genetics
  • Mice / metabolism
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
  • Mutation
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • gp100 Melanoma Antigen

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
  • Mitf protein, mouse
  • PMEL protein, human
  • Pmel protein, mouse
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factors
  • gp100 Melanoma Antigen