Melanoma: From Melanocyte to Genetic Alterations and Clinical Options

Figure 1

General overview of melanocyte physiology. Melanocytes derived from the neural crest in the form of undifferentiated and unpigmented precursors, the melanoblasts, migrate to their final destination, the epidermis, where they synthesize melanin in melanosomes. Pax3, Sox10, endothelin3 (ED-3) and its receptor (Endrb), c-Kit and Mitf play a critical role in the development of melanocytes. Melanin is then transferred to neighboring keratinocytes to ensure skin protection against the deleterious effect of ultraviolet radiation.