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Independent regulation of hair and skin color by two G protein‐coupled pathways
Author(s) -
Van Raamsdonk Catherine D.,
Barsh Gregory S.,
Wakamatsu Kazumasa,
Ito Shosuke
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2009.00609.x
Subject(s) - melanocyte , melanocortin 1 receptor , epidermis (zoology) , microbiology and biotechnology , melanin , pigment , mutant , signal transduction , hypopigmentation , biology , hedgehog signaling pathway , pigmentation disorder , hair follicle , darkness , chemistry , genetics , anatomy , botany , phenotype , melanoma , organic chemistry , gene
Summary Hair color and skin color are frequently coordinated in mammalian species. To explore this, we have studied mutations in two different G protein coupled pathways, each of which affects the darkness of both hair and skin color. In each mouse mutant ( Gnaq Dsk1 , Gna11 Dsk7 , and Mc1r e ), we analyzed the melanocyte density and the concentrations of eumelanin (black pigment) and pheomelanin (yellow pigment) in the hair or skin to determine the mechanisms regulating pigmentation. Surprisingly, we discovered that each mutation affects hair and skin color differently. Furthermore, we have found that in the epidermis, the melanocortin signaling pathway does not couple the synthesis of eumelanin with pheomelanin, as it does in hair follicles. Even by shared signaling pathways, hair and skin melanocytes are regulated quite independently.