Work

The Regulation of Skin Pigmentation

Year: 2007

Type: review

Abstract: Visible pigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes depends primarily on the functions of melanocytes, a very minor population of cells that specialize in the synthesis and distribution of the pigmented biopolymer melanin. Melanocytes are derived from precursor cells (called melanoblasts) during embryological development, and melanoblasts destined for the skin originate from the neural crest. The accurate migration, distribution, and functioning of melanoblasts/melanocytes determine the visible phenotype of organisms ranging from simple fungi to the most complex animal species.

Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry

DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r700026200

Authors: Yuji Yamaguchi, Michaela Brenner, Vincent J. Hearing

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, The University of Osaka

Language: English

Topic: melanin and skin pigmentation

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,430

Funder: National Institutes of Health