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Lighting a path to pigmentation: mechanisms of MITF induction by UV
Author(s) -
Liu Jue J.,
Fisher David E.
Publication year - 2010
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.2010.00775.x
Subject(s) - microphthalmia associated transcription factor , master regulator , transcription factor , melanocyte , regulator , ultraviolet radiation , photobiology , melanin , photoprotection , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , downregulation and upregulation , function (biology) , melanoma , genetics , chemistry , gene , biochemistry , botany , photosynthesis , radiochemistry
Summary While sunlight is important for life, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can have harmful and mutagenic effects. This duality is particularly relevant to human skin, in which UVR both participates in evolutionarily important photochemical reactions yet may act as a potential carcinogen. UVR can upregulate production of melanin, the “tanning response” that serves a photoprotective function. This genetic program is centrally tuned by the transcription factor MITF, a master regulator of melanogenesis and melanocyte function. In this review, we discuss the myriad consequences of UV exposure for skin homeostasis, highlighting the diverse pathways activated by this ultraviolet radiation.