부산대학교 도서관

Micro RNAs are endogenous, regulatory RNAs implicated in many biological processes including pigmentation. Software algorithms and in vitro experiments predict that micro RNAs can target pigmentation pathway genes, but few have been tested in vivo. MiR-128-1, a micro RNA within the strongly selected lactase locus in the human genome, has predicted pigmentation targets. To test the role of miR-128-1 in pigment regulation, we created C57 BL/6 agouti miR-128-1 knockout mice and quantified melanin deposition in hair. MiR-128-1 knockout mice have no detectable hair pigmentation phenotype. We conclude that miR-128-1 does not play a significant regulatory role in hair pigmentation in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]