Contents

Abstract
Acknowledgements
Contents
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction and Literature Review
 Neural Crest cells and derivatives
 Chromatin Remodeling Enzymes
 MITF and SOX10: The major transcriptional regulators
Chapter 2: Materials and Methods
Chapter 3: SWI/SNF enzymes promote SOX10 mediated activation of myelin gene expression
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Results
 Discussion
 Figure Legends
 Figures
 References
Chapter 4: SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes are downstream effectors of Alpha-MSH mediated melanocyte differentiation and act as transcriptional co factors for both MITF and SOX10.
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Results
 Discussion
 Figure Legends
 Figures
Chapter 5: Mitf preferentially directs melanocyte specific gene expression in presence of SOX10 and Brg1
 Introduction
 Results
 Discussion
 Figure Legends
 Figures
Chapter 6: Conclusion
References