Tell me more ×
Biology Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for biology researchers, academics, and students. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 7 down vote favorite

Melanin is a natural pigment that is categorized into two main forms, eumelanin and pheomelanin. It's well documented in the science literature that increased eumelanin levels reduces the risk of developing skin cancer, whereas it was recently reported in Nature that pheomelanin may itself be carcinogenic. So my question is:

Does pheomelanin have a useful biological function?

share|improve this question
Can you point to some references that show the UK population has higher pheomelanin? – leonardo Nov 2 '12 at 21:45
@leonardo not at the moment, so I've removed this statement from the question. But going by my observations, there's a greater variety of redheads and blondes here compared to regions near the equator such as Africa and Asia, so I'm assuming it's down to the higher levels of pheomelanin, lower levels of eumelanin. There is also the standard skin colour map: grida.no/graphicslib/detail/… – Larry Harson Nov 2 '12 at 23:03
You seem to have forgotten to cite the paper you mention. – terdon Nov 2 '12 at 23:40

2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

My understanding has been that it aids in sun absorption in the skin, specifically in low sunlight/overcast areas. I don't have source on hand, but that may steer you in the direction you are looking for.

Also, consider that that pheomelanin, red hair specifically, may encourage breeding success, depending on where you are.

share|improve this answer
That's my guess as well, but I can't find any references. Are you a redhead? – Larry Harson Jan 13 at 19:49
I'm not a red head, but if you need a source. I found an article with citations. 38 Red Hair and Redhead Facts The article may lead you to some appropriate sources, and I'll post anything I come across. – gohmifune Jan 15 at 4:51
up vote 0 down vote

Pheomelanine,has it normal function in transforming radiant heat to energy but can't protect its host from ultra violent wave from the sun as ultra violent waves will distroy melanin cells.

share|improve this answer
1  
ahh, interesting! Do you have a reference for this? – Larry Harson May 6 at 14:44

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.