title: The G-netics of dark skin.
abstract: Several mutant strains of mice have dark skin pigmentation due to an aberrant accumulation of pigment-producing melanocytes in the dermal layer of the skin. A new study shows that three such strains carry activating mutations in the genes encoding the G-protein subunits Galphaq or Galpha11, resulting in more pigment cell precursors and an excess of dermally retained pigment cells at birth.
authors.forename: Ian J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics; D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / Q000235:genetics*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000196:embryology; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043802:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11