Biochem/physiol Actions
MoTP (also known as 33N14) reversibly blocks the specification of neural crest cells into melanocytes in zebrafish studies. Differentiation of neural crest cell-derived melanoblasts proceeds to late developmental stages, but they fail to reach the terminal stage of melanin production and die. Melanocytotoxicity is dependent on tyrosinase activity which convert it into a toxic form. MoTP specifically ablates only cells that express tyrosinase at high levels, which in the embryo are limited to melanoblasts and newly formed melanocytes. MoTP should be a useful tool for elucidating melanocyte stem cell regeneration, recruitment, and maintenance. |