PLOS BiologyHow is #melanin production regulated? Study shows that on UV exposure #MC1R enters #PrimaryCilia, interacts with #BBSome & triggers signaling that stimulates #melanogenesis. The #redhead MC1R mutation affects BBSome binding, reducing melanin #PLOSBiology https://plos.io/4eZYebx
Melanocortin 1 receptor mediates melanin production by interacting with the BBSome in primary cilia
Melanin production in the skin protects us against UV damage, but how? These authors show that upon UV exposure MC1R enters primary cilia and interacts with the BBSome, triggering the downstream signalling that stimulates melanogenesis. Red-haired people have a genetic variation in MC1R that affects this interaction, leading to defective melanin production.