Melanins and Melanogenesis: From Nature to Applications
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2018) | Viewed by 219576
Special Issue Editors
Interests: polyphenol antioxidants of dietary origin; conjugates of polyphenols with sulphydryl compounds of biological relevance; antioxidants from marine sources; valorization of agri food wastes; synthesis and exploitation of biopolymers from natural polyphenols; chemistry and structural investigation of natural polymers from catechols including human epidermal pigments melanins; oxidation chemistry of catecholamines in relation to neurodegenerative disorders; design and preparation of polydopamine related biomaterials with peculiar adhesive properties
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Interests: structure and properties of melanins; chemistry of melanogenesis; chemical analysis of melanins; effects of ultraviolet radiation and visible light on melanins; effects of heat on melanins; chemistry of tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of phenols
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Melanins are a vast class of biopolymers that are widespread in all types of organisms. They are responsible for the variety of skin, hair, and eye pigmentation in humans and other mammals, determine the colors of avian feathers, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and insects, but largely occur also in lower organisms, such as fungi and bacteria.
In humans, two main types of melanins are found, the black insoluble eumelanin, characterizing dark phenotypes, and the reddish-brown, sulfur-containing pheomelanin, typical of red-haired individuals. In addition, substantia nigra neuromelanin and extracutaneous melanins of the inner ear and iridial epithelium are known. Both eumelanins and pheomelanins are produced within melanocytes by a complex biosynthetic pathway involving the tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of tyrosine.
Many factors either enzymatic or not intervene in the melanogenic pathway, ultimately determining the eumelanin and pheomelanin pigmentation. Disregulation of these control mechanisms results in a variety of pigmetary disorders, from melasma to vitiligo, bearing severe pathological implications and often dramatic aestetic impacts.
Intense research work, over the past few decades, has disclosed a variety of roles for melanin pigments, from photoprotection to photosensitization, from antioxidant defense to metal/drug binding. Neuromelanin is believed to be involved in neurodegeneration, and related to Parkinson's disease.
However, how these peculiar properties of melanin pigments, as well as how the tuning of melanogenesis may be exploited for developing strategies for the control of melanin disorders, photoprotection, implementation of all natural or bioinspired antioxidant, metal detoxification, ingredients for cosmetic, or dermocosmetic uses, has not been fully appreciated.
This Special Issue takes advantage of the open access format to offer a novel and stimulating perspective of the field. It is especially directed to translate the results of basic and academic research to applications that may raise the interest of researchers from industries and companies who are willing to develop innovative melanin- or melanogenesis-based solutions.
Contributions to this Special Issue may cover all aspects of the chemistry of natural and synthetic melanins with potential applications, melanogenesis inhibitors via the definition of the mechanism of action, approaches for the amelioration or control of all types of melanin-based pigmentary disorders, photoprotection strategies; innovative methodologies for the analysis of pigmented tissues and also for diagnostic purposes; molecular engineering methodologies for melanin production in microorganisms; and novel functions of melanins of potential application interest, drug targeting, and exploiting the specific affinity of melanins .
Experimental papers, up-to-date review articles, and commentaries are all welcome.
Prof. Dr. Alessandra Napolitano
Prof. Dr. Shosuke Ito
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- Eumelanin
- Photoprotection
- Biological activities
- Antioxidant
- Depigmenting agents
- Melanogenesis
- Dermocosmetics
- Pigmentary disorders
- Pheomelanin
- Extracutaneous melanins
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