A 3.7 kb fragment of the upstream region of the mouse Dct gene drives expression a lacZ gene. Four founders expressing the transgene were generated. All lines show a similar pattern of expression. Transgene expression is detected in early retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), early neural crest cells, optic nerve, and neural crest-derived neuronal cells. This transgene can be used to study melanocyte development. (J:134392)