Melanophilin, the Product of the Leaden Locus, is Required for Targeting of Myosin‐Va to Melanosomes

• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0854.2002.030205.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T22:13:36Z
• Authors: D. William Provance; Ted L. James; John A. Mercer
• Keywords: Melanosome

The formation of complex subcellular organelles requires the coordinated targeting multiple components. Melanosome biogenesis in mouse melanocytes is an excellent model system for studying function gene products intracellular trafficking. To begin to order events melanosome and distribution, we employed classical coat‐color mutants ashen , dilute leaden which affect but not melanin synthesis. loci have been renamed Rab27a Myo5a Mlph their products. While each three has shown be required point(s) at acts unknown. We utilized primary examine interdependencies between rab27a, myosin‐Va, melanophilin. localization rab27a melanosomes did require either myosin‐Va or melanophilin, was association with melanosomes. In permeabilized before fixation, immunoreactivity greatly attenuated, suggesting that free cytoplasm. Finally, complemented both phenotypes by cell fusion observed redistribution mature absence protein Together, our data suggest a initial assembly machinery distribution.