Proliferation in vitro of melanophores from Xenopus laevis

Melanophores of wild‐type and periodic albino mutants of Xenopus laevis were successfully cultured in vitro. They proliferated in the presence of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) or cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) at a doubling time of 8–10 days. These proliferating melanophores retained their phenotypes, ability to synthesize melanin, and melanin‐dispersing response to MSH stimulation. Neither depigmentation nor selective cell death of periodic albino melanophores was observed for at least 4 months during the cultivation.