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Beauty biology map

Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation

Melanocytes synthesise melanin inside melanosomes through tyrosinase-catalysed oxidation of tyrosine, under transcriptional control of MITF. Melanosomes are then transferred to keratinocytes. Most cosmetic pigmentation research targets tyrosinase activity, melanosome transfer, or upstream signalling such as plasmin-dependent stimulation.

100%
Melanogenesis & hyperpigm…TYRTYRP1DCTMITFMC1RPLGF2RL1Melanin biosynthesisMelanosome transport and …Plasminogen activation an…MelanogenesisMelanosome transfer

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IngredientMoleculeTargetGenePathwayProcessOutcome
Text alternative for this network
  • Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation associated with TYR — high confidence
  • Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation associated with TYRP1 — high confidence
  • Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation associated with DCT — high confidence
  • Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation associated with MITF — high confidence
  • Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation associated with MC1R — high confidence
  • Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation associated with PLG — medium confidence
  • Melanogenesis & hyperpigmentation associated with F2RL1 — medium confidence
  • TYR participates in Melanin biosynthesis — high confidence
  • TYRP1 participates in Melanin biosynthesis — high confidence
  • DCT participates in Melanin biosynthesis — high confidence
  • MITF participates in Melanin biosynthesis — high confidence
  • MC1R participates in Melanin biosynthesis — high confidence
  • PLG participates in Melanin biosynthesis — medium confidence
  • F2RL1 participates in Melanin biosynthesis — medium confidence
  • TYR participates in Melanosome transport and transfer — medium confidence
  • TYRP1 participates in Melanosome transport and transfer — medium confidence
  • DCT participates in Melanosome transport and transfer — medium confidence
  • MITF participates in Melanosome transport and transfer — medium confidence
  • MC1R participates in Melanosome transport and transfer — medium confidence
  • PLG participates in Melanosome transport and transfer — medium confidence
  • F2RL1 participates in Melanosome transport and transfer — medium confidence
  • TYR participates in Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis — medium confidence
  • TYRP1 participates in Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis — medium confidence
  • DCT participates in Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis — medium confidence
  • MITF participates in Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis — medium confidence
  • MC1R participates in Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis — medium confidence
  • PLG participates in Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis — medium confidence
  • F2RL1 participates in Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis — medium confidence
  • Melanin biosynthesis associated with Melanogenesis — high confidence
  • Melanosome transport and transfer associated with Melanogenesis — medium confidence
  • Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis associated with Melanogenesis — medium confidence
  • Melanin biosynthesis associated with Melanosome transfer — medium confidence
  • Melanosome transport and transfer associated with Melanosome transfer — medium confidence
  • Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis associated with Melanosome transfer — medium confidence

Genes & proteins

  • TYRhigh confidence

    Tyrosinase

  • TYRP1high confidence

    Tyrosinase related protein 1

  • DCThigh confidence

    Dopachrome tautomerase

  • MITFhigh confidence

    Melanocyte inducing transcription factor

  • MC1Rhigh confidence

    Melanocortin 1 receptor

  • PLGmedium confidence

    Plasminogen

  • F2RL1medium confidence

    F2R like trypsin receptor 1 (PAR-2)

Pathways

  • Melanin biosynthesis

    high confidence

    Tyrosinase-dependent eumelanin and pheomelanin synthesis.

    Gene Ontology GO:0042438

  • Melanosome transport and transfer

    medium confidence

    Movement of pigment granules to keratinocytes.

    Gene Ontology GO:0032402

  • Plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis

    medium confidence

    Upstream signalling implicated in melasma research.

    Reactome R-HSA-75205

Ingredients studied here

Processes

  • Melanogenesis — Melanocyte
  • Melanosome transfer — Epidermis

Research on this topic

Meta-analysisJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2019

Topical tranexamic acid for melasma: a systematic review

Pooled analysis reported reductions in melasma severity scores, with substantial heterogeneity between studies.

Limitations — High heterogeneity, varied vehicles and concentrations, mostly small trials.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCTranexamic acid
In-vitroExperimental Dermatology · 2012

Plasmin inhibition and melanocyte stimulation: mechanistic basis for tranexamic acid in pigmentation

Reported reduced plasmin-dependent signalling to melanocytes in co-culture after tranexamic acid exposure.

Limitations — Cell model; identifier not verified during curation.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCTranexamic acid
ReviewAmerican Journal of Clinical Dermatology (review) · 2006

Hydroquinone and the treatment of melasma: efficacy and safety review

Summarises hydroquinone as historically the most effective topical depigmenting agent, with dose-related irritation and ochronosis concerns.

Limitations — Review; regulatory status varies widely by jurisdiction.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCHydroquinone
In-vitroInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science · 2004

Alpha-arbutin inhibits melanin synthesis in human melanocyte culture

Reported dose-dependent reduction of melanin content in cultured melanocytes.

Limitations — In-vitro only; hydroquinone release in skin not quantified; identifier not verified.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCAlpha-arbutin
HumanBritish Journal of Dermatology · 2002n = 18

The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer

Reported reduced hyperpigmentation with topical niacinamide, and reduced melanosome transfer to keratinocytes in an accompanying co-culture model.

Limitations — Small sample, short duration, split-face design without long-term follow-up.

PMID 12100180Niacinamide
In-vitroBioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry · 1994

Kojic acid as a tyrosinase inhibitor: copper chelation at the catalytic site

Characterises kojic acid inhibition of tyrosinase through chelation of active-site copper ions.

Limitations — Enzyme assay only; no cutaneous endpoints; identifier not verified.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCKojic acid
In-vitroActa Dermato-Venereologica · 1991

Azelaic acid: tyrosinase inhibition and selective effects on hyperactive melanocytes

Reported competitive tyrosinase inhibition with greater effect on hyperactive melanocytes than normal melanocytes.

Limitations — In-vitro; selectivity claim not confirmed in later human work; identifier not verified.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCAzelaic acid

Community evidence

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