Reconciling diverse mammalian pigmentation patterns with a fundamental mathematical model

Richard L. Mort, Robert J. H. Ross, Kirsten J. Hainey, Olivia J. Harrison, Margaret A. Keighren, Gabriel Landini, Ruth E. Baker, Kevin J. Painter, Ian J. Jackson () and Christian A. Yates
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Richard L. Mort: MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh
Robert J. H. Ross: Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Oxford
Kirsten J. Hainey: MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh
Olivia J. Harrison: MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh
Margaret A. Keighren: MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh
Gabriel Landini: Oral Pathology Unit, School of Dentistry, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham
Ruth E. Baker: Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Oxford
Kevin J. Painter: Heriot-Watt University
Ian J. Jackson: MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC IGMM, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh
Christian A. Yates: Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Bath

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Bands of colour extending laterally from the dorsal to ventral trunk are a common feature of mouse chimeras. These stripes were originally taken as evidence of the directed dorsoventral migration of melanoblasts (the embryonic precursors of melanocytes) as they colonize the developing skin. Depigmented ‘belly spots’ in mice with mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase Kit are thought to represent a failure of this colonization, either due to impaired migration or proliferation. Tracing of single melanoblast clones, however, has revealed a diffuse distribution with high levels of axial mixing—hard to reconcile with directed migration. Here we construct an agent-based stochastic model calibrated by experimental measurements to investigate the formation of diffuse clones, chimeric stripes and belly spots. Our observations indicate that melanoblast colonization likely proceeds through a process of undirected migration, proliferation and tissue expansion, and that reduced proliferation is the cause of the belly spots in Kit mutants.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10288

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