Yellow mutant albinism: cytochemical, ultrastructural, and genetic characterization suggesting multiple allelism

Am J Hum Genet. 1980 May;32(3):387-95.

Abstract

This report describes three sisters, including monozygotic (MZ) twins, with clinical, ultrastructural, and histochemical features typical of yellow mutant albinism; This form of albinism is clinically similar to the tyrosinase-positive type, but hair bulbs showed (1) organelles similar to red hair pheomelanosomes and (2) absence of tyrosinase activity. Classical tyrosinase-negative albinism was found in a maternal cousin of the probands. Pedigree analysis of this family suggests multiple alleles occupying a single locus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Albinism / genetics*
  • Alleles
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hair / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanins / metabolism
  • Melanocytes / enzymology
  • Melanocytes / ultrastructure
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Pedigree
  • Pregnancy
  • Skin / ultrastructure
  • Twins, Monozygotic

Substances

  • Melanins
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase