Forkhead containing transcription factor Albino controls tetrapyrrole-based body pigmentation in planarian.

ABSTRACT: Pigmentation processes occur from invertebrates to mammals. Owing to the complexity of the pigmentary system, in vivo animal models for pigmentation study are limited. Planarians are capable of regenerating any missing part including the dark-brown pigments, providing a promising model for pigmentation study. However, the molecular mechanism of planarian body pigmentation is poorly understood. We found in an RNA interference screen that a forkhead containing transcription factor, Albino, was required for pigmentation without affecting survival or other regeneration processes. In addition, the body color recovered after termination of Albino double stranded RNA feeding owing to the robust stem cell system. Further expression analysis revealed a spatial and temporal correlation between Albin

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4969599 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature