The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) crucial for the regulation of melanocyte proliferation and differentiation. MC1R activation by melanocortin hormones triggers the cAMP pathway and stimulates the extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinases ERK1 and ERK2 to promote synthesis of photoprotective eumelanin pigments, among other effects. Signaling from most...

The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a powerful suppressor of inflammation mediated by macrophages, which express at least two receptors, melanocortin 1 and 3 receptors (MC1r and MC3r) that bind alpha-MSH. Albeit, the anti-inflammatory activity of alpha-MSH has been well documented in macrophages, the mechanisms of alpha-MSH activity in macrophages are not clearl...

Treatment of patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) is currently unspecific and directed at ameliorating the symptoms rather than eliminating the cause. NS is actually a multitude of glomerular diseases characterized by poorly understood disease mechanisms and symptoms that include proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and edema. Originally described in the 1950s, treatment of NS with adrenocorticotropic...

We have characterized the biochemical function of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a critical regulator of melanin synthesis, from 9 phylogenetically diverse primate species with varying coat colors. There is substantial diversity in melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) binding affinity and basal levels of activity in the cloned MC1Rs. MSH binding was lost independently in lemur and New Worl...

Artificial selection is one of the major forces modifying genetic composition livestock populations. Identifying genes under could be useful to elucidate their impact on phenotypic variation. We aimed identify genomic regions targeted by for dairy and pigmentation traits in Murciano-Granadina goats. Performance a scan based integrated haplotype score test population 1183 goats resulted identifi...

Multiple sclerosis (MS) risk is determined by environment and genes. The authors investigated in 419 cases and 422 controls if polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor (VDR), melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), and tyrosinase (TYR) genes is linked with MS risk and outcome. VDR ff was associated with reduced (odds ratio [OR] = 0.59) and MC1R His294-encoding alleles with increased (OR = 2.21) risk. MC1...

Three cosmetically important skin lightening agents, hydroquinone (HQ), kojic acid (KA), and niacinamide (NA), consume the bulk of successful skin lightening ingredients in cosmetic applications. However, the mechanisms by which these ingredients work are still unclear. In this study, melanocytes and keratinocytes were treated with high, nontoxic doses of HQ, KA, and NA and the cells were exami...

To investigate whether pigmentation genes involved in the melanogenic pathway (melanogenesis) contributed to melanoma predisposition, we compared pigmentary genetics with quantitative skin pigmentation measurements, the number of atypical nevi, the total nevus count, and the familial atypical multiple mole and melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. We typed 32 pigmentary SNP markers and sequenced MC1R in 2...

BACKGROUND The melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is an important risk factor for melanoma due to its role in the production of melanin in response to sun exposure. OBJECTIVES To analyze the phenotypic and histologic characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in patients carrying mutations in MC1R and assess the influence of sun exposure on the occurrence of melanoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of...

UV radiation (UV) is designated as a "comprehensive carcinogen" due to its dual nature mutagen and non-specific damaging agent, exhibiting properties of both tumor initiator promoter. the foremost modifiable risk factor for skin cancer various other environmentally-influenced disorders. Nevertheless, also plays beneficial role in human health by facilitating natural synthesis vitamin D endorphi...