Human Gene Changes Color of Fish

Scientists have changed mutated, golden-colored zebrafish to a standard dark-striped, yellowish-white variety by inserting the genetic information for normal pigmentation into young fish.

In an interesting twist, they also found that inserting a similar human version of the pigment gene resulted in the same color change.

As with humans, zebrafish skin color is determined by pigment cells, which contain pigment granules called melanosomes. The number, size and darkness of melanosomes per pigment cell influence the color of skin.

Human Gene Changes Color of Fish