Melanin production of humans
MELANIN PRODUCTION OF HUMANS
Melanin is a complex polymer that originates from the amino acid tyrosine. Melanin is present in human and animal skin to varying degrees, and is responsible for your unique eye, hair and skin color.Melanin is a substance in your body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. The more melanin you produce, the darker your eyes, hair and skin will be. The amount of melanin in your body depends on a few different factors, including genetics and how much sun exposure your ancestral population had.Melanin production begins in large cells called melanocytes, which can be found all over the body. Melanocytes are responsible for producing organelles called melanosomes.
Found the Melanin in Human Parts:
· Hair.
· Pupils or irises of the eyes.
· The medulla and zona reticularis of the adrenal gland.
· Skin where it provides skin color.
· Stria vascularis of the inner ear.
· Areas of the brain, the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus.
Production:
The process of melanin synthesis is called melanogenesis, a process that is based on melanocytes present among the basal cells of the epidermis. Pigments formed in melanocyte melanosomes are then stored in the basal layer of epidermal cells, as well as in dermal macrophages, which become melanophores.
Melanogenesis:
Melanocytes express a highly polymorphic gene which encodes a G-protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) called melanocortin-receptor 1 (MC1R). In humans, there are over 100 MC1R variants, each with different activity levels. As well as melanin production, the activity level of MC1R within melanocytes is a major determinant of the human skin colour.
Melanocytes are mainly restricted to the basal layer of the epidermis where they form an ‘epidermal melanin unit’, consisting of one melanocyte, around 36 keratinocytes, and one Langerhans cell.
Types of Melanin:
Humans have a three formsTrusted Source of melanin.
1. Eumelanin
2. Pheomelanin
3. Neuromelanin
| Eumelanin | Pheomelanin | Neuromelanin |
Functions | Eumelanin is responsible for dark colors in skin, eyes and hair. People with brown or black hair have varying amounts of brown and black eumelanin. When there’s no black eumelanin and a small amount of brown eumelanin, it results in blonde hair. | Pheomelanin This type of melanin pigments your lips, nipples and other pinkish parts of your body. People who have equal parts eumelanin and pheomelanin have red hair.
| Neuromelanin. While eumelanin and pheomelanin control the colors of things you see (such as skin, hair and eyes), neuromelanin is responsible for the color of your neurons.
|
Found | Hair, Skin and Dark areas around the nipples. | Hair and Skin | Brain parts |
Produced Cells | Melanocytes(epidermis,dermis layer). | Melanocytes (epidermis, dermis layer). | Catecholaminergic neurons (Brain cells). |
Process Or pathway | Melanogenesis (Biochemical pathway). | Melanogenesis (Biochemical pathway). | No known pathway for neuromelanin catabolism |
Some disorders Melanin production:
No | Disorders | Details | Therapies
|
1. | Vitiligo | Vitiligo is a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. The condition can affect the skin on any part of the body. It can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth. | No drug can stop the process of vitiligo. ü Light therapy ü Combining psoralen and light therapy ü Removing the remaining color (depigmentation) |
2. | Albinism | Albinism usually makes your coloring lighter than is typical for your family or ethnic background.You also may have vision problems, including legal blindness. There is no cure for this rare condition. | Albinism isn’t curable. The focus of treatment is to manage your symptoms or related conditions. Surgery or glasses Low-vision aids Medication (Drug: Nitisinone) |
3. | Melasma | Melasma is a common skin problem. The condition causes dark, discolored patches on your skin. | ü Azelaic acid ü Cysteamine ü Hydrocortisone(a topical corticosteroid) ü Hydroquinone ü Methimazole |
4. | Parkinson’s disease | Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves | Medications: ü Carbidopa-levodopa ü Inhaled carbidopa-levodopa. ü Carbidopa-levodopa infusion ü Dopamine agonists ü MAOB inhibitors |

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