title: Topology of feather melanocyte progenitor niche allows complex pigment patterns to emerge.
abstract: Color patterns of bird plumage affect animal behavior and speciation. Diverse patterns are present in different species and within the individual. Here, we study the cellular and molecular basis of feather pigment pattern formation. Melanocyte progenitors are distributed as a horizontal ring in the proximal follicle, sending melanocytes vertically up into the epithelial cylinder, which gradually emerges as feathers grow. Different pigment patterns form by modulating the presence, arrangement, or differentiation of melanocytes. A layer of peripheral pulp further regulates pigmentation via patterned agouti expression. Lifetime feather cyclic regeneration resets pigment patterns for physiological needs. Thus, the evolution of stem cell niche topology allows complex pigment patterning through combinatorial co-option of simple regulatory mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: T X
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reeder
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jee
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Widelitz
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chuong
mesh_terms: D054366:Agouti Signaling Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D010856:Columbidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D005241:Feathers / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D046094:Galliformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D010858:Pigmentation; D012038:Regeneration; D055153:Stem Cell Niche; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D054366:Agouti Signaling Protein