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This intronless gene encodes the receptor protein for melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH). The encoded protein, a seven pass transmembrane G protein coupled receptor, controls melanogenesis. Two types of melanin exist: red pheomelanin and black eumelanin. Gene mutations that lead to a loss in function are associated with increased pheomelanin production, which leads to lighter skin and hair color. Eumelanin is photoprotective but pheomelanin may contribute to UV-induced skin damage by generating free radicals upon UV radiation. Binding of MSH to its receptor activates the receptor and stimulates eumelanin synthesis. This receptor is a major determining factor in sun sensitivity and is a genetic risk factor for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Over 30 variant alleles have been identified which correlate with skin and hair color, providing evidence that this gene is an important component in determining normal human pigment variation. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
The information on this page was collected from publicly accessible databases, and is periodically updated. Promega makes no claims to accuracy, or ownership of these genes.
Gene products are often involved in multiple pathways and networks within a living cell. Learn more about other interacting partners.
Paste a protein or nucleic acid sequence in the box below to confirm that it matches this gene’s reference sequence(s). Click on a link under RELATED ORF CLONES to see how a sequence matches to an experimentally-validated ORF clone.
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