Effects of microphthalmic white (Miwh) on the number and function of cutaneous melanocytes.
Microphthalmic white (Miwh), when heterozygous, causes dilution of black fur to a uniform gray color. Miwh/+ also reduces the coloration of ear and tail skin. The present study, a quantitative assessment of the effects of Miwh/+ on cutaneous melanocytes, demonstrates that the primary effect of Miwh/+ on cutaneous pigmentation is to reduce the number of epidermal melanocytes. There is also indirect evidence that Miwh/+ reduces the rate of melanosome production within follicular melanocytes. These actions of Miwh/+ cause both lightened coloration of ear and tail skin and the deposition of fewer numbers of smaller melanosomes within the hair.
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D004423:Ear; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D005838:Genotype; D006197:Hair; D006579:Heterozygote; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008850:Microphthalmos / Q000235:genetics*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010858:Pigmentation; D013623:Tail
D007527:Isoenzymes; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase