Expression of a mouse tyrosinase cDNA in 3T3 Swiss mouse fibroblasts.
3T3 Swiss mouse fibroblast cell lines expressing tyrosinase, the critical enzyme in melanin synthesis, have been established by co-transfection of a mouse tyrosinase cDNA and a G418-resistance gene. Of sixty-three clones isolated, four are brown in colour, presumably due to synthesis of melanin. Expression of both the tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa oxidase activities of tyrosinase by these pigmented clones has been demonstrated directly by enzyme assays. Electron microscopic studies suggest that the brown pigment is located in membrane-bound cytoplasmic vesicles.
Winder
A J
AJ
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, U.K.
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002871:Chromosome Banding; D002999:Clone Cells; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008545:Melanoma; D051379:Mice; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D014960:X Chromosome
D008543:Melanins; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase