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Melanosome Transport/Transfer and Melanin Pigmentation in the Skin 2.0
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Melanosome Transport/Transfer and Melanin Pigmentation in the Skin 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2024) | Viewed by 16474

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Duarte C. Barral

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
NOVA Medical School (NMS)|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: melanin; melanosomes; melanocytes; keratinocytes; melanoma
Prof. Dr. Hideya Ando

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Okayama University of Science, Okayama, Japan
Interests: melanin; melanocyte; melanosome; pigmentation; tyrosinase; ultraviolet light
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Melanin pigments are produced by melanocytes located in the basal layer of the epidermis and transferred to keratinocytes. Melanin pigments are synthesized in specialized organelles within melanocytes, termed melanosomes. Melanosomes move along the cytoskeleton to the dendrites of melanocytes and are then transferred to surrounding keratinocytes, where they are processed and accumulate over the nucleus, forming supra-nuclear caps. Defective melanosome trafficking results in hyper- and hypo-pigmentary disorders such as melasma, age spots, Hermansky–Pudlak/Griscelli/Chediak–Higashi syndromes and vitiligo. Many studies have characterized the mechanisms of melanosome biogenesis and transport in melanocytes, but fewer have addressed the mechanisms of melanosome transfer to keratinocytes and further processing within these cells. Therefore, many unknown mechanisms remain to be clarified. Through the elucidation of these mechanisms, the development of novel therapeutic agents for pigmentary disorders is expected. In this Special Issue, reviews and original articles related to melanosome transport/transfer and melanin pigmentation, as well as research topics on the degradation/processing and polarization of melanin within keratinocytes, are welcome.

Dr. Duarte C. Barral
Prof. Dr. Hideya Ando
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • endocytosis
  • exocytosis
  • fibroblast
  • keratinocyte
  • melanin
  • melanocyte
  • melanosome
  • pigmentation
  • trafficking
  • transfer

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3114 KiB  
Article
Beyond the Epidermal-Melanin-Unit: The Human Scalp Anagen Hair Bulb Is Home to Multiple Melanocyte Subpopulations of Variable Melanogenic Capacity
by Cristina Casalou, Jay M. Mayatra and Desmond J. Tobin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12809; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612809 - 15 Aug 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2537
Abstract
The visual appearance of humans is derived significantly from our skin and hair color. While melanin from epidermal melanocytes protects our skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, the biological value of pigmentation in the hair follicle, particularly on the scalp, is [...] Read more.
The visual appearance of humans is derived significantly from our skin and hair color. While melanin from epidermal melanocytes protects our skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, the biological value of pigmentation in the hair follicle, particularly on the scalp, is less clear. In this study, we explore the heterogeneity of pigment cells in the human scalp anagen hair follicle bulb, a site conventionally viewed to be focused solely on pigment production for transfer to the hair shaft. Using c-KIT/CD117 microbeads, we isolated bulbar c-KIT-positive and c-KIT-negative melanocytes. While both subpopulations expressed MITF, only the c-KIT-positive fraction expressed SOX10. We further localized bulbar melanocyte subpopulations (expressing c-KIT, SOX10, MITF, and DCT) that exhibited distinct/variable expression of downstream differentiation-associated melanosome markers (e.g., gp100 and Melan-A). The localization of a second ‘immature’ SOX10 negative melanocyte population, which was c-KIT/MITF double-positive, was identified outside of the melanogenic zone in the most peripheral/proximal matrix. This study describes an approach to purifying human scalp anagen hair bulb melanocytes, allowing us to identify unexpected levels of melanocyte heterogeneity. The function of the more immature melanocytes in this part of the hair follicle remains to be elucidated. Could they be in-transit migratory cells ultimately destined to synthesize melanin, or could they contribute to the hair follicle in non-melanogenic ways? Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Melanosome Transport/Transfer and Melanin Pigmentation in the Skin 2.0)
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Review

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20 pages, 2401 KiB  
Review
Melanin’s Journey from Melanocytes to Keratinocytes: Uncovering the Molecular Mechanisms of Melanin Transfer and Processing
by Liliana Bento-Lopes, Luís C. Cabaço, João Charneca, Matilde V. Neto, Miguel C. Seabra and Duarte C. Barral
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(14), 11289; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241411289 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 13006
Abstract
Skin pigmentation ensures efficient photoprotection and relies on the pigment melanin, which is produced by epidermal melanocytes and transferred to surrounding keratinocytes. While the molecular mechanisms of melanin synthesis and transport in melanocytes are now well characterized, much less is known about melanin [...] Read more.
Skin pigmentation ensures efficient photoprotection and relies on the pigment melanin, which is produced by epidermal melanocytes and transferred to surrounding keratinocytes. While the molecular mechanisms of melanin synthesis and transport in melanocytes are now well characterized, much less is known about melanin transfer and processing within keratinocytes. Over the past few decades, distinct models have been proposed to explain how melanin transfer occurs at the cellular and molecular levels. However, this remains a debated topic, as up to four different models have been proposed, with evidence presented supporting each. Here, we review the current knowledge on the regulation of melanin exocytosis, internalization, processing, and polarization. Regarding the different transfer models, we discuss how these might co-exist to regulate skin pigmentation under different conditions, i.e., constitutive and facultative skin pigmentation or physiological and pathological conditions. Moreover, we discuss recent evidence that sheds light on the regulation of melanin exocytosis by melanocytes and internalization by keratinocytes, as well as how melanin is stored within these cells in a compartment that we propose be named the melanokerasome. Finally, we review the state of the art on the molecular mechanisms that lead to melanokerasome positioning above the nuclei of keratinocytes, forming supranuclear caps that shield the nuclear DNA from UV radiation. Thus, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation, from melanin exocytosis by melanocytes and internalization by keratinocytes to processing and polarization within keratinocytes. A better knowledge of these molecular mechanisms will clarify long-lasting questions in the field that are crucial for the understanding of skin pigmentation and can shed light on fundamental aspects of organelle biology. Ultimately, this knowledge can lead to novel therapeutic strategies to treat hypo- or hyper-pigmentation disorders, which have a high socio-economic burden on patients and healthcare systems worldwide, as well as cosmetic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Melanosome Transport/Transfer and Melanin Pigmentation in the Skin 2.0)
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