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Related Concept Videos

Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
06:09

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

Modeling melanoblast development.

Lionel Larue1, Florian de Vuyst, Véronique Delmas

  • 1Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Developmental Genetics of Melanocytes, 91405, Orsay, France. lionel.larue@curie.fr

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|August 24, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Melanoblast (pigment cell) proliferation during development is crucial for skin and hair follicle development. This review examines factors controlling melanoblast expansion and models their doubling time.

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Ex vivo Culture of Mouse Embryonic Skin and Live-imaging of Melanoblast Migration

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
06:09

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

Feeder-free Derivation of Melanocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Feeder-free Derivation of Melanocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: March 3, 2016

Ex vivo Culture of Mouse Embryonic Skin and Live-imaging of Melanoblast Migration
08:29

Ex vivo Culture of Mouse Embryonic Skin and Live-imaging of Melanoblast Migration

Published on: May 19, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Melanoblasts are precursor cells for pigment-producing melanocytes.
  • They originate near the neural tube and migrate to colonize skin, epidermis, and hair follicles.
  • Melanoblast proliferation is essential for generating sufficient numbers of pigment cells during embryonic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing melanoblast proliferation.
  • To identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate melanoblast expansion.
  • To present a mathematical model for estimating melanoblast doubling times.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of developmental biology studies on melanoblasts.
  • Analysis of intrinsic cellular factors influencing proliferation.
  • Analysis of extrinsic developmental cues impacting melanoblast expansion.
  • Development of a mathematical model for proliferation rate estimation.

Main Results:

  • Melanoblast colonization involves significant proliferation from a small founder population.
  • Both intrinsic (e.g., genetic programs) and extrinsic (e.g., microenvironmental cues) factors regulate expansion.
  • A mathematical model was developed to estimate doubling times across various coat colors.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding melanoblast proliferation is key to comprehending pigment cell development.
  • The interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic factors dictates the scale of melanoblast expansion.
  • The proposed model offers a quantitative approach to studying melanoblast dynamics.