Genetic controls over activities of tyrosinase and dopachrome conversion factor in murine melanocytes.

We evaluated the three catalytic activities of tyrosinase and one activity of dopachrome conversion factor (DCF) in extracts made from skins of 6-day-old yellow and nonyellow mice. At least one of the catalytic activities of tyrosinase and of DCF correlate with the color of pigment being produced in the hair follicles of the mice. We use these data to evaluate existing hypotheses about the mechanism of the interacting genetic controls over melanogenesis.