The Biochemistry of Skin Pigmentation and its Relation to Melanoma

Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, U.S.A.
Manuscript received 14 December 1993

The biochemistry of melanogenesis has been under investigation for more than 100 years. In the mouse, some 130 coat colour mutations exist at more than 50 genetic loci. This vast array of genes, many of them interacting with one another, attests both to the evolutionary importance of the pigmentary system as well as to the difficulties encountered in unravelling the underlying biochemical processes. In addition, the pigmentary system, which provides protection from solar radiation, is ironically the same system from which melanomas are generated. This article, dedicated to Professor D. P. Chakraborty, summarises some of the progress from our laboratory in this complex and fascinating field of research.