Proliferation in vitro of melanophores from Xenopus laevis.
Melanophores of wild-type and periodic albino mutants of Xenopus laevis were successfully cultured in vitro. They proliferated in the presence of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH or cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) at a doubling time of 8-10 days. These proliferating melanophores retained their phenotypes, ability to synthesize melanin, and melanin-dispersing response to MSH stimulation. Neither depigmentation nor selective cell death of periodic albino melanophores was observed for at least 4 months during the cultivation.
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008547:Melanophores / Q000378:metabolism*; D008722:Methods; D010641:Phenotype; D013997:Time Factors; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D008543:Melanins; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D000242:Cyclic AMP