Abstract
Melanocytes are melanin-producing cells found in skin, hair follicles, eyes, inner ear, bones, heart and brain of humans. They arise from pluripotent neural crest cells and differentiate in response to a complex network of interacting regulatory pathways. Melanins are pigment molecules that are endogenously synthesized by melanocytes. The light absorption of melanin in skin and hair leads to photoreceptor shielding, thermoregulation, photoprotection, camouflage and display coloring. Melanins are also powerful cation chelators and may act as free radical sinks. Melanin formation is a product of complex biochemical events that starts from amino acid tyrosine and its metabolite, dopa. The types and amounts of melanin produced by melanocytes are determined genetically and are influenced by a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as hormonal changes, inflammation, age and exposure to UV light. These stimuli affect the different pathways in melanogenesis. In this review we will discuss the regulatory mechanisms involved in melanogenesis and explain how intrinsic and extrinsic factors regulate melanin production. We will also explain the regulatory roles of different proteins involved in melanogenesis.
Highlights
Melanogenesis by definition is the production of the melanin pigments; these are most often produced by cells called melanocytes [1,2]
Melanoblasts that develop into melanocytes are predominantly found in the basal layer of skin epidermis and hair follicles [9,10], and can be identified by the expression of melanocyte-specific markers such as tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), DOPAchrome tautomerase or tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TYRP2), premelanosome protein 17 (Pmel17/gp1000), melan-A or melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) [11]
Along with the α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH)-MCR1 signaling pathway, the SCF-KIT receptor tyrosine kinase pathway is involved in melanocyte pigmentation and development via the activation of the MITF transcription factor [1,42]
Summary
Melanogenesis by definition is the production of the melanin pigments; these are most often produced by cells called melanocytes [1,2]. After closure of the neural tube [8], melanoblasts migrate to various regions of the body and develop into melanocytes as well as cells of the peripheral nervous system, bone and cartilage of the head, and the choroid of the eye [1,2]. The primary function of melanocytes is the production of the melanin pigment. Melanocytes are found in other tissues of the body such as the central nervous and cardiovascular system, the uvea of the eye, cochlea. Given that melanocytes are present in a variety of tissues in the body, the initiation and extent of piGgmiveennttahtaiotnmoerlamnoelcaynteosgeanreespisrecsaenntbienianflvuareinectyedofbytisasuneusminbethr eofbiondtyri,ntshiec iannidtiaetxiotrninasnicd feaxctteonrts. oIfnpaidgdmiteinotna,timoneloanr omgeelnaensoigsecnaensaislscoanbebeiniflnufleunecnecdedbybypraenduemterbmerinoefdingtreinnestiiccafnadctoexrstrsiunscihc afascatgoersa. nInd aedthdnitiicoitny,, amnedlatnhoisgpernoecseissschaans aevlsoolvbeeditnoflpureonvcidede pbryotpercetidoentearnmdimneadingteennaenticce foafchtoorms esouscthasaiss. aEgxetriannsdic eftahcntoicristyi,ncalnuddethUisVpRroacnedsscehratasinevcohlvemedictaol cpormovpioduenpdrso,tewchtiiolen ianntrdinmsicainfatcetnoarnsciencolfudheommeoolsetcauslies.s Esxetcrrientseidc bfaycstourrsroiunnclduidneg kUeVraRtinanocdytceesr,tafiibnrocbhleamstisc,ailnflcoammpmoautnodrys,, nweuhirlael oinrtreinndsioccrfiancetocresllsinwclhuidceh maroeleacfufelcetsedsebcyrecteodndbityiosnusrrsouuchndaisnpgrekgenraatnincyocayntedsd, ifaibbreotebsla[s8t]s., Iitnhfalasmbmeeantoprryo,pnoesuedratlhoart tehnedporcercinisee creelslspwonhsiechofarthe eafsfkecintetdobtyhecsoensdtiitmiounlsastourcyh faascptorresgnisamnceydaiantdeddibaybeatecsu[t8a]n. eItohuassnbeeuernopenrodpoocsreindethsyastttehme p(rreevciiseewreedspionn[s2e0o])f. thTehisskirnevtoiewthewseillstsimumulmataorriyzefatchtoergseins ems eadnidatemdobleycualcaurtpanaethowusaynseutrhoaetnrdeogcurliantee smysetleamnog(reenveiseiws eadndinth[e2p0]r)o.cTeshsiess rtehvaitemwaywiinllflsuuemncme athriizsepitghme egnetn-pesroadnudcinmgopleactuhlwarayp. athways that regulate melanogenesis and the processes that may influence this pigment-producing pathway
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