Melanin processing by keratinocytes: A non-microbial type of host-pathogen interaction?

Hugo Moreiras; Mafalda Lopes-da-Silva; Miguel C. Seabra; Duarte C. Barral

doi:10.1111/tra.12638

Melanin processing by keratinocytes: A non-microbial type of host-pathogen interaction?

Hugo Moreiras, Mafalda Lopes-da-Silva, Miguel C. Seabra, Duarte C. Barral

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The mechanisms that regulate skin pigmentation have been the subject of intense research in recent decades. In contrast with melanin biogenesis and transport within melanocytes, little is known about how melanin is transferred and processed within keratinocytes. Several models have been proposed for how melanin is transferred, with strong evidence supporting coupled exo/endocytosis. Recently, two reports suggest that upon internalization, melanin is stored within keratinocytes in an arrested compartment, allowing the pigment to persist for long periods. In this commentary, we identify a striking parallelism between melanin processing within keratinocytes and the host-pathogen interaction with Plasmodium, opening new avenues to understand the complex molecular mechanisms that ensure skin pigmentation and photoprotection.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	301-304
Number of pages	4
Journal	Traffic
Volume	20
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/tra.12638
Publication status	Published - 23 Apr 2019

Keywords

autophagy
endocytic pathway
melanin
membrane traffic
Plasmodium
UV-radiation

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10.1111/tra.12638

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title = "Melanin processing by keratinocytes: A non-microbial type of host-pathogen interaction?",

abstract = "The mechanisms that regulate skin pigmentation have been the subject of intense research in recent decades. In contrast with melanin biogenesis and transport within melanocytes, little is known about how melanin is transferred and processed within keratinocytes. Several models have been proposed for how melanin is transferred, with strong evidence supporting coupled exo/endocytosis. Recently, two reports suggest that upon internalization, melanin is stored within keratinocytes in an arrested compartment, allowing the pigment to persist for long periods. In this commentary, we identify a striking parallelism between melanin processing within keratinocytes and the host-pathogen interaction with Plasmodium, opening new avenues to understand the complex molecular mechanisms that ensure skin pigmentation and photoprotection.",

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AU - Moreiras, Hugo

AU - Lopes-da-Silva, Mafalda

AU - Seabra, Miguel C.

AU - Barral, Duarte C.

PY - 2019/4/23

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N2 - The mechanisms that regulate skin pigmentation have been the subject of intense research in recent decades. In contrast with melanin biogenesis and transport within melanocytes, little is known about how melanin is transferred and processed within keratinocytes. Several models have been proposed for how melanin is transferred, with strong evidence supporting coupled exo/endocytosis. Recently, two reports suggest that upon internalization, melanin is stored within keratinocytes in an arrested compartment, allowing the pigment to persist for long periods. In this commentary, we identify a striking parallelism between melanin processing within keratinocytes and the host-pathogen interaction with Plasmodium, opening new avenues to understand the complex molecular mechanisms that ensure skin pigmentation and photoprotection.

AB - The mechanisms that regulate skin pigmentation have been the subject of intense research in recent decades. In contrast with melanin biogenesis and transport within melanocytes, little is known about how melanin is transferred and processed within keratinocytes. Several models have been proposed for how melanin is transferred, with strong evidence supporting coupled exo/endocytosis. Recently, two reports suggest that upon internalization, melanin is stored within keratinocytes in an arrested compartment, allowing the pigment to persist for long periods. In this commentary, we identify a striking parallelism between melanin processing within keratinocytes and the host-pathogen interaction with Plasmodium, opening new avenues to understand the complex molecular mechanisms that ensure skin pigmentation and photoprotection.

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KW - endocytic pathway

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Melanin processing by keratinocytes: A non-microbial type of host-pathogen interaction?

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Keywords

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