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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Beta-endorphin: the forgotten hair follicle melanotropin
Desmond J Tobin1, Söbia Kauser
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK. dtobin@bradford.ac.uk
Abstract:
The proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene and protein are expressed principally in the pituitary and brain (e.g., hypothalamus). The POMC gene, protein, and derived peptides, however, can also be detected in the skin. It appears that POMC can also be processed in the skin, a tissue that also expresses the prohormone convertases PC1 and PC2 and 7B2 protein. All POMC peptides may be produced in the skin epidermis, dermis, and adnexa by epithelial cells, melanocytes, and mesenchymal cells (e.g., immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells), and can also be released from cutaneous sensory nerve endings (cf. Slominski et al, 2004).
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