Loss of MC1R signaling implicates TBX3 in pheomelanogenesis and melanoma predisposition [scRNA-seq]

We used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of melanocytes isolated from two distict red hair color (RHC) mouse models for comparison with and black hair color, functional MC1R signaling, to reveal a Pheomelanin Gene Signature (PGS) of differentially expressed genes in RHC melanocytes.

Melanocytes were derived from the dorsal skin of postnatal day 3 old mice and FACS was used to enrich melanocytes for scRNA-seq. A total of 4 samples were used in two pairwise batches: a Lethal yellow (Ay) mouse for comparison with a nonagouti (a/a) control littermate harvested and sequenced in parallel; and a Recessive yellow (Mc1rE) sample for comparison with a nonagouti (a/a) control sample harvested and sequenced in parallel.