Melanin Pigmentation: Physiology and Pathology
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: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 21
Special Issue Editors
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
Interests: enzymology; post translational modifications; aromatic metabolism; phenolic biochemistry; reactions of quinonoid compounds; invertebrate immunity; insect cuticular sclerotization; phenoloxidase; quinone isomerases; oxidative browning; melanin biosynthesis; catecholic antibiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Melanins are a group of biopolymeric phenolic pigments ubiquitously present in most organisms. In mammals and birds, two types of melanin are found, the brown-to-black insoluble eumelanin and the reddish-brown, sulfur-containing pheomelanin. They are produced within melanocytes through the tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of tyrosine. In addition, we are aware of extracutaneous melanins, such as substantia nigra neuromelanin. Studies have disclosed a variety of physiological roles for eumelanin, such as photoprotection, antioxidant defense, and drug/metal binding. On the contrary, pheomelanin is believed to be pro-oxidant and phototoxic, leading to melanoma development. Many factors are involved in the melanogenic pathway, and the dysregulation of these control mechanisms results in pigmentary disorders, from melasma to vitiligo.
Contributions to this Special Issue may cover any aspect of the chemistry of natural and synthetic melanins with potential practical applications; melanogenesis inhibition through the definition of its mechanism of action; approaches to the amelioration or control of any type of melanin-based pigmentary disorder, as well as photoprotection strategies; innovative methodologies for the analysis of pigmented tissues and for diagnostic purposes; molecular engineering methodologies for melanin production in microorganisms; and novel functions of melanins that are of potential interest for applications, drug targeting, and exploiting the specific affinities of melanins.
Experimental papers and up-to-date review articles are welcome.
Prof. Dr. Shosuke Ito
Prof. Dr. Manickam Sugumaran
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- eumelanin
- pheomelanin
- melanogenesis
- photoprotection
- pigmentary disorders
- depigmenting agents
- extracutaneous melanins
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