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Regulation of melanin synthesis in mammalian cells, as studied by somatic hybridization. I. Evidence for negative control
Author(s) -
Davidson Richard,
Ephrussi Boris,
Yamamoto Kohtaro
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
journal of cellular physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.529
H-Index - 174
eISSN - 1097-4652
pISSN - 0021-9541
DOI - 10.1002/jcp.1040720206
Subject(s) - somatic cell , hamster , biology , tyrosinase , thymidine kinase , in vitro , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology , melanin , cricetulus , pigment , in situ hybridization , cell culture , biochemistry , chinese hamster ovary cell , gene , genetics , chemistry , gene expression , virus , herpes simplex virus , organic chemistry
Somatic hybrids between pigmented Syrian hamster cells and unpigmented mouse cells were isolated and propagated in vitro . These hybrids are unpigmented and lack dopa oxidase (and tyrosinase) activity, which is correlated with the pigmentation of the Syrian hamster cells. In contrast, the presence of three other enzymes (LDH, MDH, and thymidine kinase) also specified by the hamster genome but unrelated to pigment synthesis is observed in the hybrid cells. This suggests that the repression of dopa oxidase in these cells is a specific effect on the enzyme associated with the differentiated state of pigment cells. It is concluded that the genetic control of differentiation in this case involves a diffusible regulator substance which functions negatively.