What Secretes Melanin?
Melanin is secreted by specialized cells called melanocytes.
Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color, is produced within melanocytes in organelles called melanosomes. These melanocytes are found in various parts of the body, including the skin, hair follicles, and eyes. In the skin's epidermis, melanocytes interact closely with keratinocytes, transferring melanosomes to them via dendritic processes. The quantity of melanin synthesized within these melanosomes directly influences the color variation observed in human skin. (Source: Reference information provided: It is produced by pigment cells (melanocytes) in cytoplasmic organelles (melanosomes)).
Several sources confirm this:
- Cleveland Clinic: States that melanin is produced in melanocytes located in various areas of the body, including the hair and the innermost layer of the skin. (Source: Reference information provided: Melanin is produced in melanocytes. These cells are located in different areas of your body, including: Your hair. The innermost layer of your…)
- Medical News Today: Clearly defines melanin as a substance found in the skin that produces pigment, emphasizing the variation in melanin amounts among individuals. (Source: Reference information provided: Melanin is a substance present in the skin that produces pigment. Each person has a different amount of melanin in…)
- WebMD: Reinforces the role of melanin as a natural skin pigment that contributes to the color of hair, skin, and eyes. (Source: Reference information provided: Melanin is a natural skin pigment that plays a role in the color of your hair, skin, and eyes. Learn what else it does in the body.)
It's important to note that while melanocytes are the primary melanin producers in animals, other organisms, such as fungi and some bacteria, also produce melanin, albeit through different pathways and with varying functions. (Sources: Reference information provided: Fungal melanins potently block the post-translational secretion of the chemokines CXCL1 and CXCL8 independent of transcription; Biofilm-forming bacteria associated with corals secrete melanin with…)
