Melanocortin-1 (MC1) receptor is an attractive melanoma-specific target for the development of α-MSH peptide based imaging and therapeutic agents. In this work a new lactam bridge α-MSH analogue was synthesized and radiolabeled with 99mTc via HYNIC chelator and tricine as co-ligand. Also, stability in human serum, receptor bound internalization and tissue biodistribution in tumor bearing nude m...

PURPOSE Allelic variations of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene have been linked to red hair and sun-sensitive skin types and may play a role in the susceptibility to develop cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). To define the role of MC1R gene in uveal melanoma, a case control study was performed, in which the presence of MC1R gene variations in uveal melanoma patients was compared with th...

Risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is increased in sun-exposed whites, particularly those with a pale complexion. This study was designed to investigate the relationship of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) genotype to CMM risk, controlled for pigmentation phenotype. We report the occurrence of five common MC1R variants in an Australian population-based sample of 460 individuals with f...

While there have been many advances in our understanding of the genetics of pathological skin pigmentation in humans, our knowledge about what determines variation in normal skin color is still incomplete. Variation in one gene, melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), has been associated with red hair and fair skin in Europeans. However, this gene might also play an important role in shaping pigmentati...

F1-A(y) mice between RR (aabbCC) and C57BL/6J-A(y) (A(y)aBBCC) have a much darker yellow coat color than do C57BL/6J-A(y) . Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was carried out to identify genes responsible for the darker modification of the yellow coat color (this has been traditionally termed "sable"). A significant sable QTL was identified on chromosome 1 (Dmyaq4, LOD score 15.5 for light...