US Patent:
20090053707, Feb 26, 2009
Inventors:
Mina Yaar - Sharon MA, US
Hee-Young Park - Weston MA, US
Vladimir Botchkarev - Sharon MA, US
Barbara A. Gilchrest - Boston MA, US
International Classification:
C12Q 1/68
C12Q 1/02
C12Q 1/48
G01N 33/573
US Classification:
435 6, 435 29, 435 15, 435 74
Abstract:
Methods are described wherein the skin of a vertebrate, or the skin or hair of a mammal can be lightened by administration of an agent, e.g., protein, peptide, active fusion protein, active fragment, or molecular mimic, that binds to BMP-4 transmembrane receptors on melanocytes and decreases the level of melanin synthesis. Also described are methods to identify molecules that mimic the function of BMP-4 in causing a decrease in melanin in melanocytes.