You are here

Post-embryonic nerve-associated precursors to adult pigment cells: genetic requirements and dynamics of morphogenesis and differentiation.

TitlePost-embryonic nerve-associated precursors to adult pigment cells: genetic requirements and dynamics of morphogenesis and differentiation.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsBudi EH, Patterson LB, Parichy DM
JournalPLoS genetics
Volume7
Issue5
Paginatione1002044
Date Published2011 May
ISSN1553-7404
KeywordsAging, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Mushroom Bodies, Cell Shape, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Larva, Melanophores, Neurons, Pigmentation, Receptor, erbB-3, Zebrafish
Abstract

<p>The pigment cells of vertebrates serve a variety of functions and generate a stunning variety of patterns. These cells are also implicated in human pathologies including melanoma. Whereas the events of pigment cell development have been studied extensively in the embryo, much less is known about morphogenesis and differentiation of these cells during post-embryonic stages. Previous studies of zebrafish revealed genetically distinct populations of embryonic and adult melanophores, the ectotherm homologue of amniote melanocytes. Here, we use molecular markers, vital labeling, time-lapse imaging, mutational analyses, and transgenesis to identify peripheral nerves as a niche for precursors to adult melanophores that subsequently migrate to the skin to form the adult pigment pattern. We further identify genetic requirements for establishing, maintaining, and recruiting precursors to the adult melanophore lineage and demonstrate novel compensatory behaviors during pattern regulation in mutant backgrounds. Finally, we show that distinct populations of latent precursors having differential regenerative capabilities persist into the adult. These findings provide a foundation for future studies of post-embryonic pigment cell precursors in development, evolution, and neoplasia.</p>

DOI10.1371/journal.pgen.1002044
Alternate JournalPLoS Genet.