A novel mutation of the KIT gene in a Chinese family with piebaldism.

Background: Human piebaldism is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by congenital white forelock and depigmented patches of skin, typically on the forehead, anterior trunk and extremities. Mutations in the KIT gene have been proposed to be responsible for the underlying changes in this disorder. The aim of this study was to identify gene mutation in a Chinese family with piebaldism.

[Effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and UVB on cell proliferation and melanin synthesis of cultured human melanocyte].

Objective: To study the effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and UVB on cell proliferation and melanin synthesis of normal human melanocytes.

Methods: Melanocytes of foreskins of healthy men were cultured and treated with various concentration of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) or UVB (55 mJ/cm(2)),or both. Cell proliferation was measured with MTT assay .