Dispersion of melanosomes, melanin-filled granules, in specialized pigment cells of fish and amphibians occurs reversibly with melanosome aggregation. Dispersion of aggregation of the pigment granules causes color changes of the dermis that are important for camouflage and social interactions. Kinesin-2 (formerly kinesin- II or KRP85/95) mediates long-range transport on microtubules (green), while myosin V on actin filaments (red) is needed for uniform distribution of melanosomes in the cell.

Contributed by V. Gelfand and S. Rogers

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Created 1 July 1999 18:58 GMT
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