Expression of the mouse tyrosinase gene during embryonic development: Recapitulation of the temporal regulation in transgenic mice

Abstract

Pigment in mammals is produced in melano of the skin derived from the neural crest and in the ented epithelial cells of the retina derived from the optic Tyrosinase (monophenol, L-dopa:oxygen oxidoreductase, 1.14.18.1) is regarded as the key enzyme in pigment synthesis in both these cell types. In this study, we have gated the temporal regulation of expression of the ty gene during early eye development and in the developing hair follicle of the mouse by in situ hybridization and have whether transgenes would precisely mimick this pattern. show that the mouse tyrosinase gene is expressed in the epithelium of the retina as early as day 10.5 of ation. In the hair follicle, tyrosinase gene expression in cytes is detected from day 16.5 onwards. This cell -specific and temporal expression is largely reproduced in genic mice carrying a tyrosinase minigene. Our results suggest that sequences in the immediate vicinity of the mouse sinase gene are sufficient to provide cell-type specificity and development regulation in melanocytes and in the pigment helium.