Mutation of melanosome protein RAB38 in chocolate mice

Mutations of genes needed for melanocyte function can result in oculocutaneous albinism. Examination of similarities in human gene expression patterns by using microarray analysis reveals that RAB38 , a small GTP binding protein, demonstrates a similar expression profile to melanocytic genes. Comparative genomic analysis localizes human RAB38 to the mouse chocolate ( cht ) locus. A G146T mutation occurs in the conserved GTP binding domain of...