Melanin pigment (None established)

Melanin pigment is a heterogeneous group of biopolymer pigments synthesized by organisms and responsible for the pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes in animals, as well as coloration in many other organisms. The primary forms in humans are eumelanin (brown-black), pheomelanin (yellow-red), and neuromelanin (brain-associated), each differing in monomer composition and function. Melanin is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine through the action of enzymes such as tyrosinase within specialized organelles called melanosomes. Its main biological functions include absorbing and dissipating ultraviolet radiation to protect cellular DNA from damage and acting as an antioxidant. Melanin content and distribution underlie the visible variations in skin, hair, and eye color across populations and serve a protective role in photoprotection and possibly immune modulation. It is not a direct therapeutic target, but disorders of melanin metabolism (e.g., albinism, melanoma, vitiligo) are important in medicine.

Other names

EumelaninPheomelaninNeuromelaninAllomelaninPyomelaninMelaninePigmentum nigrum

Not applicable (melanin itself is not an active pharmacological target). Related mechanisms (e.g., for skin lightening agents): inhibition of enzymes (esp. tyrosinase) involved in melanin biosynthesis.