Abstract
Dorso-ventral pigment pattern differences are the most widespread pigmentary adaptations in vertebrates. In mammals, this pattern is controlled by regulating melanin chemistry in melanocytes using a protein, agouti-signalling peptide (ASIP). In fish, studies of pigment patterning have focused on stripe formation, identifying a core striping mechanism dependent upon interactions between different pigment cell types. In contrast, mechanisms driving the dorso-ventral countershading pattern have been overlooked. Here, we demonstrate that, in fact, zebrafish utilize two distinct adult pigment patterning mechanisms – an ancient dorso-ventral patterning mechanism, and a more recent striping mechanism based on cell–cell interactions; remarkably, the dorso-ventral patterning mechanism also utilizes ASIP. These two mechanisms function largely independently, with resultant patterns superimposed to give the full pattern.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 196-209 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 2 Dec 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2015 |
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Robert Kelsh
- Department of Life Sciences - Deputy Head of Department
- Centre for Networks and Collective Behaviour
- Centre for Mathematical Biology
- Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research (CAER)
- Centre for Bioengineering & Biomedical Technologies (CBio)
Person: Research & Teaching, Affiliate staff