The role of neural crest cells on pigment cell biology

Fish skin pigmentation and melanin production is initiated and regulated by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors including signaling systems and transcription factors. Among them, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is known to govern many aspects of melanocyte biology, from developmental specification of the melanocyte lineage, to subsequent maintenance of the adult melanocyte regenerative unit (comprising adult stem and progenitor cells) and even melanoma pathogenesis. We are focusing on putative roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in melanophore development on Zebrafish and compare the differential mechanisms on cavefish where it lacks the melanin pigmentation.