The physiology of pigmentation

摘要: Abstract 1. The mature pigment-producing cell, the melanocyte, is derived from a short-lived embryonic structure, neural crest. 2. Valuable information on inheritance of pigmentation has been mice, fowl, fishes, and fruit fly, Drosophila. A given gene affects aspect process. 3. Melanin formed by oxidation tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa). Tyrosinase, copper protein enzyme, acts as catalyst in this reaction. Molecular oxygen must be present for reaction take place. Lack any one these substances prevents melanin formation. 4. Advances knowledge physiology biochemistry basic chemical physical factors influencing it have made possible newer therapeutic methods inhibiting or accelerating pigmentation. 5. most effective drug producing 8-methoxy-psoralen, depigmentation monobenzylether hydroquinone.