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Regulation of growth and phenotype of normal human melanocytes in culture

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Melanoma Research: Genetics, Growth Factors, Metastases, and Antigens

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 54))

Abstract

The primary function of the melanocyte in the skin is to synthesize an optically dense and active pigment, melanin, to protect cells of the epidermis and dermis from the deleterious effects of ultraviolet (UV) light. The pheno-typic characteristics of melanocytes have long been established. These are a) melanin production through the action of the cell-specific enzyme, tyrosinase; b) dendritic morphology; c) pigment donation via dendritic processes to adjacent keratinocytes; and d) unless specifically stimulated (i.e., by UV light), no detectable proliferation in situ. Despite the undetectable proliferation, a stable life-long 5–6:1 ratio is maintained between basal keratinocytes and melanocytes, suggesting a constant, controlled self-replication of epidermal pigmented cells. In this article we review the currently available data on maturation, growth requirements, and antigen expression of melanocytes and their interactions with keratinocytes.

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Authors
  1. Istvan T. Valyi-Nagy
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  2. Meenhard Herlyn
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York, USA

    Larry Nathanson

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Valyi-Nagy, I.T., Herlyn, M. (1991). Regulation of growth and phenotype of normal human melanocytes in culture. In: Nathanson, L. (eds) Melanoma Research: Genetics, Growth Factors, Metastases, and Antigens. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 54. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3938-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3938-4_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6757-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3938-4

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