Though humans and fish may seem incredibly different, the zebrafish stripes contain pigmented cells analogous to human melanocytes, melanin containing cells found in eye and skin. Because of these similarities, we were able to construct a zebrafish model of uveal melanoma, a highly metastatic human cancer arising in the eye. This zebrafish expresses one of two transgenes harboring mutations detected in 85% of uveal melanoma cases. Expression of the transgene destabilizes the development of the fish melanocytes, thereby giving rise to an aberrant pigment pattern (pictured above in the dorsal view of the fish) and eventually facilitating tumor formation.

Correct pigment patterning in zebrafish requires proper stem cell differentiation, cell motility and cell- cell signaling. By documenting and understanding the reasons for the change in pigment pattern in the transgene containing fish, we can elucidate the function of the transgene in these pathways.