Melanocytes in development, regeneration, and cancer.
The genes required for stem cell specification and lineage restriction during embryogenesis also play fundamental roles in adult tissue regeneration and cancer. This "development-regeneration-cancer" axis is exemplified by the vertebrate pigmentation system. Melanocytes exhibit almost unlimited self-renewal capacity during regenerative processes such as mammalian hair recoloration and zebrafish fin regeneration. Melanoma utilizes many regulatory signals and pathways required during ontogeny and regeneration. A discussion of these interconnections highlights how studies of stem cell function in embryonic and regenerative contexts can yield insights into melanoma biology.
White
Richard Mark
RM
Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Zon
Leonard I
LI
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012038:Regeneration; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology