NIH R01 · 2025
MITF from control of pigmentation to melanoma risk
Abstract Human skin phototypes are routinely described in a gradient of 1 (redhaired) to 6 (dark constitutive pigment) which correlates with UV sensitivity and risk of melanoma. Parallel to this gradient is the increase of nevi (moles) from darker to lighter phototypes, a gradient which abruptly drops at phototype 1 (redhaired) where visible nevi are unexpectedly rare. We hypothesized, and verified in murine models, that BRAFV600E- induced nevi in redhaired mice are “invisible” but actually significantly more abundant compared to genetically matched black mice. They are clinically inapparent due to lack of dark eumelanin, but are easily identified via fluorescence tagging, and associated…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.