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MelanocyteAka: Melanosome, Melanin

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  1. See Also
    1. Melanism
    2. Hyperpigmentation
    3. Brown Skin Lesion (or Black Skin Lesion)
  2. Physiology
    1. Located in Basal Cell Layer of skin
    2. Melanosome organelles are produced by melanocytes
      1. Melanosome transferred to Keratinocytes
    3. Melanin (brown pigment) produced within melanosome
      1. Tyrosine converted to melanin
      2. Melanin screens out sunlight ultraviolet rays
    4. Hyperpigmentation
      1. Increased melanosomes
        1. Sun Exposure
        2. Hormonal control
          1. See Hyperpigmentation in Pregnancy
      2. Darker skin color in certain ethnic groups
        1. Same number of melanosomes as lighter skin
        2. Darker skin results from larger melanosomes

Melanins (C0025196)

Definition (MSH)Insoluble polymers of TYROSINE derivatives found in and causing darkness in skin (SKIN PIGMENTATION), hair, and feathers providing protection against SUNBURN induced by SUNLIGHT. CAROTENES contribute yellow and red coloration.
Definition (CSP)amorphous, nonproteinaceous pigment responsible for the brown hue of eyes, skin, hair, various tumors, and certain internal structures including the substantia nigra of the brain.
Definition (NCI)(MEL-a-nin) The substance that gives color to skin and eyes.
ConceptsOrganic Chemical (T109) , Biologically Active Substance (T123)
EnglishMelanin, Melanins
Spanishmelanina
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)


melanocyte (C0025201)

Definition (MSH)Mammalian pigment cells that produce MELANINS, pigments found mainly in the EPIDERMIS, but also in the eyes and the hair, by a process called melanogenesis. Coloration can be altered by the number of melanocytes or the amount of pigment produced and stored in the organelles called MELANOSOMES. The large non-mammalian melanin-containing cells are called MELANOPHORES.
Definition (CSP)dendritic pigment cells of the epidermis that synthesize tyrosinase, and within their melanosomes the pigment melanin is synthesized; they control long term morphological skin color changes.
Definition (NCI)(mel-AN-o-sites) Cells in the skin and eyes that produce and contain the pigment called melanin.
ConceptsCell (T025)
Englishmelanocyte, Melanocytes
Spanishmelanocito
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)


Melanosomes (C0025213)

Definition (MSH)Melanin-containing organelles found in melanocytes and melanophores.
Definition (CSP)granules within melanocytes that contain tyrosinase and synthesize melanin.
Definition (GO)A tissue-specific, membrane bounded cytoplasmic organelle within which melanin pigments are synthesized and stored. Melanosomes are synthesized in melanocyte cells. [GOC:jl, PMID:11584301]
ConceptsCell Component (T026)
EnglishMelanosome, Melanosomes
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)



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