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Melanocyte biology and skin pigmentation

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Y. Lin

    (Harvard Combined Program in Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children's Hospital Boston)

  • David E. Fisher

    (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children's Hospital Boston)

Abstract

Melanocytes are phenotypically prominent but histologically inconspicuous skin cells. They are responsible for the pigmentation of skin and hair, and thereby contribute to the appearance of skin and provide protection from damage by ultraviolet radiation. Pigmentation mutants in various species are highly informative about basic genetic and developmental pathways, and provide important clues to the processes of photoprotection, cancer predisposition and even human evolution. Skin is the most common site of cancer in humans. Continued understanding of melanocyte contributions to skin biology will hopefully provide new opportunities for the prevention and treatment of skin diseases.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Y. Lin & David E. Fisher, 2007. "Melanocyte biology and skin pigmentation," Nature, Nature, vol. 445(7130), pages 843-850, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:445:y:2007:i:7130:d:10.1038_nature05660
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05660
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    Cited by:

    1. Qiaochu Wang & Zengge Wang & Yizhen Wang & Zhan Qi & Dayong Bai & Chentong Wang & Yuanying Chen & Wenjian Xu & Xili Zhu & Jaepyo Jeon & Jian Xiong & Chanjuan Hao & Michael Xi Zhu & Aihua Wei & Wei Li, 2023. "A gain-of-function TPC2 variant R210C increases affinity to PI(3,5)P2 and causes lysosome acidification and hypopigmentation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Ricarda Laumeier & Martin Brändle & Mark-Oliver Rödel & Stefan Brunzel & Roland Brandl & Stefan Pinkert, 2023. "The global importance and interplay of colour-based protective and thermoregulatory functions in frogs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Yazhong Cui & Yang Miao & Longzhi Cao & Lifang Guo & Yue Cui & Chuanzhe Yan & Zhi Zeng & Mo Xu & Ting Han, 2023. "Activation of melanocortin-1 receptor signaling in melanoma cells impairs T cell infiltration to dampen antitumor immunity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.

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