Melanocyte migration and proliferation

Melanocyte migration and proliferation describe the movement and division of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) derived from neural crest precursors. These processes are tightly regulated by growth factors (such as stem cell factor/c-KIT, basic fibroblast growth factor, endothelins), cell adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, P-cadherin, integrins), and signaling pathways (Wnt, MAPK, TGF-β/BMP). Disruption of these processes is involved in diseases such as melanoma and pigmentary disorders. While many receptors, kinases, and transcription factors serve as therapeutic targets in melanoma (e.g., c-KIT, MITF, RAC1), "melanocyte migration and proliferation" itself is not a single molecular target, but a collective term for these cell behaviors and their regulators[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].