Agouti-signaling protein; Involved in the regulation of melanogenesis. The binding of ASP to MC1R precludes alpha-MSH initiated signaling and thus blocks production of cAMP, leading to a down-regulation of eumelanogenesis (brown/black pigment) and thus increasing synthesis of pheomelanin (yellow/red pigment). Causes hair follicle melanocytes to synthesize phaeomelanin instead of black or brown pigment eumelanin and produces hairs with a subapical yellow band on an otherwise black or brown background when expressed during the mid-portion of hair growth.

5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid oxidase; Plays a role in melanin biosynthesis. Catalyzes the oxidation of 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) into indole-5,6-quinone-2-carboxylic acid. May regulate or influence the type of melanin synthesized. Also to a lower extent, capable of hydroxylating tyrosine and producing melanin. Belongs to the tyrosinase family.

Tyrosinase; This is a copper-containing oxidase that functions in the formation of pigments such as melanins and other polyphenolic compounds. Catalyzes the initial and rate limiting step in the cascade of reactions leading to melanin production from tyrosine. In addition to hydroxylating tyrosine to DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), also catalyzes the oxidation of DOPA to DOPA-quinone, and possibly the oxidation of DHI (5,6-dihydroxyindole) to indole-5,6 quinone. Belongs to the tyrosinase family.

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor; Transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes with essential roles in cell differentiation, proliferation and survival. Binds to M-boxes (5'-TCATGTG-3') and symmetrical DNA sequences (E-boxes) (5'-CACGTG-3') found in the promoters of target genes, such as BCL2 and tyrosinase (TYR). Plays an important role in melanocyte development by regulating the expression of tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1). Plays a critical role in the differentiation of various cell types, such as neural crest-derived melanocyt [...]

P protein; Could be involved in the transport of tyrosine, the precursor to melanin synthesis, within the melanocyte. Regulates the pH of melanosome and the melanosome maturation. One of the components of the mammalian pigmentary system. Seems to regulate the postranslational processing of tyrosinase, which catalyzes the limiting reaction in melanin synthesis. It can modulate intracellular glutathione metabolism; Belongs to the CitM (TC 2.A.11) transporter family.

L-dopachrome tautomerase; Catalyzes the conversion of L-dopachrome into 5,6- dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Involved in regulating eumelanin and phaeomelanin levels.

Membrane-associated transporter protein; Melanocyte differentiation antigen. May transport substances required for melanin biosynthesis (By similarity); Belongs to the glycoside-pentoside-hexuronide (GPH) cation symporter transporter (TC 2.A.2) family.

Mast/stem cell growth factor receptor Kit; Tyrosine-protein kinase that acts as cell-surface receptor for the cytokine KITLG/SCF and plays an essential role in the regulation of cell survival and proliferation, hematopoiesis, stem cell maintenance, gametogenesis, mast cell development, migration and function, and in melanogenesis. In response to KITLG/SCF binding, KIT can activate several signaling pathways. Phosphorylates PIK3R1, PLCG1, SH2B2/APS and CBL. Activates the AKT1 signaling pathway by phosphorylation of PIK3R1, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Activat [...]

Rod cGMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase subunit alpha; This protein participates in processes of transmission and amplification of the visual signal.