Anti-MC1 Receptor/MC1R Antibody Picoband®

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), mapped to 16q24.3, is also known as MSHR. 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.

1. Aoki H, Moro O (2002) . Involvement of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in expression of human melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) . Life Sci. 71 (18) : 2171–9. 2. Mogil JS, Ritchie J, Smith SB, Strasburg K, Kaplan L, Wallace MR, Romberg RR, Bijl H, Sarton EY, Fillingim RB, Dahan A (2005) .Melanocortin-1 receptor gene variants affect pain and mu-opioid analgesia in mice and humans. J. Med. Genet. 42 (7) : 583–7. 3. Robbins LS, Nadeau JH, Johnson KR, Kelly MA, Roselli-Rehfuss L, Baack E, Mountjoy KG, Cone RD (1993) . Pigmentation phenotypes of variant extension locus alleles result from point mutations that alter MSH receptor function.. Cell. 72 (6) : 827–834.

Store at -20°C for one year from date of receipt. After reconstitution, at 4°C for one month. It can also be aliquotted and stored frozen at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.