Human melanocytes characteristically contain 100-A filaments. These 100-A filaments shift from the perinuclear area to the center of the dendritic processes and are in close association with melanosomes during the different stages of UV-mediated melanin pigmentation. We suggest that these 100-A filaments in human melanocytes participate in the elongation of the dendrites and in the transfer of ...

Balakrishnan Nirmal Department of Dermatology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India Dermatoscopy has become increasingly significant in assisting the diagnosis of common dermatological disorders.[1] However, the main deterrent to the utility of dermatoscopy in dark skin is the presence of higher melanin content in the basal layer preventing deeper pigmentation and vessels from ...

We identified the causal genetic variation for the difference in the thoracic trident pigmentation intensity between two wild-derived strains of Drosophila melanogaster. It was found to be the difference in expression level of ebony, which codes for an enzyme in the melanin-synthesis pathway and has pleiotropic effects on vision and behavior.

A 66-year-old man presented to his previous physician with epigastric discomfort in 2014. He was then referred to our hospital due to suspected primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME). A biopsy showed atypical cells containing melanin granules. A diagnosis of PMME was thus made. We investigated the endoscopic findings of the previous physician, which revealed a black point-like pigme...

Peutz Jegher’s syndrome is a mucocutaneous autosomal dominant condition associated with extensive melanin pigmentation and intestinal hamartomatous polyp formation. It is characterised by round, oval patches of blackish brown pigmentation, irregularly distributed over the oral mucosa, lips, tongue and the hard palate. This condition is associated with an increased risk towards carcinoma and sev...

Skin pigmentation disorders refer to conditions that affect the color of skin due alterations in production or distribution melanin, pigment responsible for color. The development is a complex process involving various signaling pathways, including melanin synthesis pathway, cyclic AMP and Wnt pathway. Dysregulation these pathways can lead disorders. Phytotherapeutic approaches have been increa...

KEY LEARNING POINTS MS is defined as a single or multiple black/brown pigmentation bands arranged lengthwise along the nail unit. Physiological MS is more commonly seen in darker phototype individuals and is quite unusual in fair-skinned ethnic groups. MS is the result of increased melanin production by nail matrix melanocytes, which produces a visible pigmentation band in the nail plate. Disti...

Melanin provides inherent protection against skin cancer by absorbing broad-spectrum radiant energy of UV radiation. Cutaneous malignant melanoma incidence has recently been observed to increase and the frequency is closely associated with the skin color, highlighting the importance of skin pigmentation. Here, we showed how melanin biosynthesis is enhanced by treatment with phenolic compounds-r...

Introduction: Melasma is the main cause of facial hyperchromia and has a signifi cant psychosocial impact. Wood ́s lamp has been a useful device to estimate the depth of melanin determined by light-induced fl uorescence. A dermoscope enables a clear visualization of pigments distribution, and the color variation of melanin will depend on its location within the skin. Objective: Evaluate the clas...

Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) is a leading cause of cancer deaths, with reports indicating a rising trend in the incidence rate of melanoma among Hispanics in certain U.S. states. The level of melanin pigmentation in the skin is suggested to render photoprotection from the DNA-damaging effects of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR). UVR-induced DNA damage leads to cytogenetic defects visualized as the format...