Time-course gene expression analysis of melanocyte development

Specification and differentiation of melanocytes is closely associated with their temporal localization. Melanocyte stem cells migrate extensively within defined trajectories before they undergo terminal differentiation to produce the photo-protective pigment, melanin. Cells adapt to the evolving developmental micro-environment via specialized cell surface receptors. To understand the responsive states and distinctive transcriptional states, fluorescently labeled melanocyte stem cells (24hpf and 34 hpf) or pigmented melanophores at 72hpf were isolated and their expression profiles were analysed as described below. Total RNA was extracted from mitfa:GFP positive cells at 24hpf and 34hpf and 72hpf pigmented melanophores. The RNA was quality controlled and quantified using agilent bioanalyzer. The samples were analyzed by Agilent_zebrafish_GXP_8X60K array. Two biological replicates of each sample were analyzed. We acknowledge Genotypic Technology Private Limited Bangalore for the microarray processing and data analysis reported in this publication.