Distinct melanocyte subpopulations defined by stochastic expression of proliferation or maturation programs enable a rapid and sustainable pigmentation response

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation triggers a pigmentation response in human skin, wherein melanocytes rapidly activate divergent maturation and proliferation programs. Here, the authors identify distinct melanocyte sub-populations with maturation and proliferation programs initiated by stochastic gene expression in response to external pigmentation cues such as UV.