This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Planque, N. Articles by Saule, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Planque, N. Articles by Saule, S.

Expression of the Microphthalmia-associated Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor Miin Avian Neuroretina Cells Induces aPigmented Phenotype¹

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique EP 560, Institut Pasteur de Lille, 59019 Lille cedex, France

The microphthalmia gene (mi) appears to be required for pigment cell development, based on its mutation in mi mice. The mi gene encodes a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor (Mi) with tissue-restricted expression. To investigate the role of mi in cell proliferation and pigmentation, we transfected neuroretina (NR) cells with a recombinant virus expressing the murine mi cDNA. The virus induced the proliferation of chicken NR cells in response to fibroblast growth factor 2, which enabled them to form colonies in soft agar. In contrast to control cultures, transfected chicken NR cells or quail NR cells became rapidly pigmented and strongly expressed the QNR-71 mRNA encoding a melanosomal protein. These results demonstrate that Mi not only acts as pigmentation inducer but is also able to modulate the response of cells to growth factors.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. J. Thomas and C. A. Erickson FOXD3 regulates the lineage switch between neural crest-derived glial cells and pigment cells by repressing MITF through a non-canonical mechanism Development, June 1, 2009; 136(11): 1849 - 1858. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Muller, H. Rohrer, and A. Vogel-Hopker Bone morphogenetic proteins specify the retinal pigment epithelium in the chick embryo Development, October 1, 2007; 134(19): 3483 - 3493. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Horsford, M.-T. T. Nguyen, G. C. Sellar, R. Kothary, H. Arnheiter, and R. R. McInnes Chx10 repression of Mitf is required for the maintenance of mammalian neuroretinal identity Development, January 1, 2005; 132(1): 177 - 187. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Planque, G. Raposo, L. Leconte, O. Anezo, P. Martin, and S. Saule Microphthalmia Transcription Factor Induces Both Retinal Pigmented Epithelium and Neural Crest Melanocytes from Neuroretina Cells J. Biol. Chem., October 1, 2004; 279(40): 41911 - 41917. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Bejar, Y. Hong, and M. Schartl Mitf expression is sufficient to direct differentiation of medaka blastula derived stem cells to melanocytes Development, December 29, 2003; 130(26): 6545 - 6553. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R. Martinez-Morales, V. Dolez, I. Rodrigo, R. Zaccarini, L. Leconte, P. Bovolenta, and S. Saule OTX2 Activates the Molecular Network Underlying Retina Pigment Epithelium Differentiation J. Biol. Chem., June 6, 2003; 278(24): 21721 - 21731. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Wellbrock, C. Weisser, E. Geissinger, J. Troppmair, and M. Schartl Activation of p59Fyn Leads to Melanocyte Dedifferentiation by Influencing MKP-1-regulated Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling J. Biol. Chem., February 15, 2002; 277(8): 6443 - 6454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Goding Mitf from neural crest to melanoma: signal transduction and transcription in the melanocyte lineage Genes & Dev., July 15, 2000; 14(14): 1712 - 1728. [Full Text]

				M. Lee, J. Goodall, C. Verastegui, R. Ballotti, and C. R. Goding Direct Regulation of the Microphthalmia Promoter by Sox10 Links Waardenburg-Shah Syndrome (WS4)-associated Hypopigmentation and Deafness to WS2 J. Biol. Chem., November 22, 2000; 275(48): 37978 - 37983. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Planque, L. Leconte, F. M. Coquelle, P. Martin, and S. Saule Specific Pax-6/Microphthalmia Transcription Factor Interactions Involve Their DNA-binding Domains and Inhibit Transcriptional Properties of Both Proteins J. Biol. Chem., July 27, 2001; 276(31): 29330 - 29337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]