Abstract
Melanocytes, our pigment producing cells, are replenished from multiple stem cell niches in adult tissues. Although pigmentation traits are known risk-factors for melanoma, we know little about melanocyte stem cell (MSC) populations other than hair follicle MSCs, and lack key lineage markers with which to identify MSCs and study their function. Here, we discover that Tfap2b, and a select set of its target genes, specifies an MSC population at the dorsal root ganglia in zebrafish. Functionally, Tfap2b is required for only a few late-stage embryonic melanocytes, and instead is essential for MSC-dependent melanocyte regeneration. Fate-mapping data reveal that tfap2b-expressing MSCs have multi-fate potential, and are the cell-of-origin for large patches of adult melanocytes, and two other pigment cell types, iridophores and xanthophores. Hence, Tfap2b confers MSC identity in early development, thereby distinguishing MSCs from other neural crest and pigment cell lineages, and retains multi-fate potential in the adult zebrafish.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
