Melanocytes are melanin-producing neural crest-derived cells located in the bottom layer (the stratum basale) of the skin's epidermis, the middle layer...

neuropeptides consisting of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (β-MSH), and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (γ-MSH)...

α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an endogenous peptide hormone and neuropeptide of the melanocortin family, with a tridecapeptide structure...

γ-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (γ-MSH) is an endogenous peptide hormone and neuropeptide. It is a melanocortin, specifically, one of the three types...

β-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (β-MSH) is an endogenous peptide hormone and neuropeptide. It is a melanocortin, specifically, one of the three types...

of hair follicles produce melanocytes, the cells that produce and store pigment in hair and skin. The death of the melanocyte stem cells causes the onset...

harmless (benign) hyperplasia of melanocytes which is linear in its spread. This means the hyperplasia of melanocytes is restricted to the cell layer directly...

secreting prolactin). The intermediate lobe synthesizes and secretes melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The posterior pituitary (or neurohypophysis) is a...

nevus (also known as an "acquired dermal melanocytosis", and "dermal melanocyte hamartoma") is a cutaneous condition characterized by a diffusely gray-blue...

release in hair follicles. This overproduction causes depletion of the melanocyte stem cells which are required to produce melanin, the pigment responsible...