Mahogany/attractin: en route from phenotype to function.
The mouse mahogany mutation affects melanocortin signaling pathways that regulate energy homeostasis and hair color. The gene mutated in mahogany mice encodes attractin, a large transmembrane protein that is broadly expressed and conserved among multicellular animals. Mouse attractin is likely to have additional roles outside melanocortin signaling, and cloning of the gene provides information that can be used to form testable hypotheses about its biochemical function.
Gunn
T M
TM
Departments of Pediatrics and Genetics, and the HHMI, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5323, USA.
Barsh
G S
GS
D000818:Animals; D005812:Genes, Switch / Q000235:genetics; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006200:Hair Color / Q000235:genetics*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000235:genetics
C117928:Atrn protein, mouse; D006023:Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D000521:alpha-MSH