Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
The role of calcium in MSH stimulated melanosome dispersion
A M Lucas1, A J Thody, S Shuster
1Department of Dermatology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Abstract:
We have examined the role of the calcium ion in the response of the melanophores of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis to alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) by a rate method which allows kinetic analysis of melanosome dispersion. Dose-response curves to alpha-MSH were compared in the presence of different calcium concentrations, and Schild regression plots were constructed. An avidly binding analogue of alpha-MSH, Nle4-D-Phe7-alpha-MSH, was used to demonstrate kinetically the involvement of calcium in the melanophore response both for MSH receptor binding and the subsequent transduction of the MSH signal across the melanophore membrane.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Secretory Vesicles
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...

