Immortalized Mouse Late Stage Melanocytes (iMC65)

Epidermal melanocytes are melanin-producing cells that function as a protective mechanism from harmful UV rays. Melanoma has been associated to defects, dysfunction, or lack of melanocytes. Primary C57BL/6 mouse melanocytes have been derived and successfully immortalized with SV40 large T antigen. The Immortalized Mouse Late Stage Melanocytes (iMC65) are hygromycin-resistant cells which expresses melanogenic markers (c-kit, Pax3, Sox10, and MITF-m), and are non-tumorigenic. The mature melanocytes express HMB45 and high tyrosinase activity. These cells are a valuable tool in melanocyte biology and molecular pathogenesis of pigment-related cell disorder studies. Fontana-Masson staining performed for melanocytic cell markers.