Sun exposure and PDZK1 genotype modulate PDZK1 gene expression in normal skin

Human skin pigmentation results from the enzymatically controlled synthesis of melanin pigments in specialized organelles (melano‐somes) produced within epidermal melanocytes, followed by their transfer to neighboring keratinocytes and their distribution through‐out the epidermis.1 Constitutive skin pigmentation seems to be mostly genetically determined,2 being altered by numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting the epidermal melanin unit

Genetic 3’UTR variation is associated with human pigmentation characteristics and sensitivity to sunlight

Sunlight exposure induces signalling pathways leading to the activation of melanin synthesis and tanning response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the expression of genes involved in pigmentation pathways by binding to the complementary sequence in their 3'untranslated regions (3'UTRs). Therefore, 3'UTR SNPs are predicted to modify the ability of miRNAs to target genes, resulting in differential gene expression. In this study, we investigated the role in pigmentation and sun-sensitivity traits, as well as in melanoma susceptibility, of 38 different 3'UTR SNPs from 38 pigmentation-related genes. A total of 869 individuals of Spanish origin (526 melanoma cases and 343 controls) were analysed.…

Additional file 1: of Sex-specific genetic effects associated with pigmentation, sensitivity to sunlight, and melanoma in a population of Spanish origin

This contains Tables S1–S3 and Figures S1–S2. Table S1. List of 363 successfully genotyped SNPs, Minor allele frequencies for all samples, males and females, and HWE P value. Table S2. List of SNPs associated with pigmentation traits in females and males. Table S3. List of SNPs associated with sun response traits in females and males. Figure S1. Comparison of minor allele frequencies, female versus male individuals. Figure S2. A selection of genetic factors affecting pigmentation and sun sensitivity in humans. (PDF 417 kb)

Sex and MC1R variants in human pigmentation: Differences in tanning ability and sensitivity to sunlight between sexes

Sex-Specific Genetic Effects Associated with Pigmentation, Sensitivity to Sunlight, And Melanoma in a Population of Spanish Origin

Background Human pigmentation is a polygenic quantitative trait with high heritability. In addition to genetic factors, it has been shown that pigmentation can be modulated by oestrogens and androgens via up- or down-regulation of melanin synthesis. Our aim was to identify possible sex differences in pigmentation phenotype as well as in melanoma association in a melanoma case-control population of Spanish origin. Methods Five hundred and ninety-nine females (316 melanoma cases and 283 controls) and 458 males (234 melanoma cases and 224 controls) were analysed. We genotyped 363 polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)) from 65 pigmentation gene regions. Results When samples were…