Malignant melanoma and melanocortin 1 receptor

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
12:37

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

Published on: September 7, 2013

17.8K

A A Rosenkranz1, T A Slastnikova, M O Durymanov

  • 1Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 199334, Russia. aar@igb.ac.ru.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia
|January 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is overexpressed in melanomas, offering a target for new therapies. Research explores MC1R's role in melanoma cell division and its potential for diagnostics and targeted drug delivery.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Conventional chemotherapy for malignant melanoma shows limited efficacy.
  • Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is overexpressed on most human melanoma cells, serving as a potential tumor marker.
  • MC1R naturally regulates eumelanin production for UV protection and influences melanocyte cell division.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review MC1R regulation and expression in melanocytes and melanoma cells.
  • To explore the connection between MC1R and signaling pathways controlling tumor cell proliferation.
  • To assess MC1R's potential for melanoma diagnostics and targeted therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of MC1R expression, regulation, and signaling in melanoma.
  • Analysis of MC1R's role in melanocyte and melanoma cell proliferation.
  • Evaluation of MC1R as a target for novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • MC1R is a cell surface endocytic receptor, indicating its suitability for diagnostics and drug delivery.
  • MC1R signaling pathways are linked to tumor cell proliferation regulation.
  • Emerging therapeutic approaches targeting MC1R are under development.

Conclusions:

  • MC1R overexpression in melanoma presents a promising target for improved cancer treatment.
  • Targeting MC1R offers potential for enhanced melanoma diagnostics and personalized drug delivery.
  • Novel therapies like endoradiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and gene therapy utilizing MC1R are advancing melanoma treatment options.

More Related Videos

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model08:49

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model

Published on: May 18, 2018

18.1K
Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells06:09

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

Published on: June 7, 2019

8.6K

Related Concept Videos

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...
5.2K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
6.3K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.6K
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR...
2.0K
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
4.8K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.0K