Integrin-linked kinase in melanosome uptake in keratinocytes

动物的一个关键特征是它们能够产生外部皮肤着色，这对生存、社会交流和防止太阳紫外线辐射的伤害至关重要。在哺乳动物中，颜色的形成是通过黑色素细胞产生黑色素，并将其转移到称为角化细胞的其他皮肤细胞中。黑色素被角质形成细胞吸收的过程尚不清楚。我们已经确定了一种叫做整合素连接激酶（ILK）的蛋白质，它是黑色素摄取所必需的因素之一。我们的研究将确定ILK在黑色素摄取过程中的功能，以及ILK的改变如何导致黑色素转移和皮肤或头发着色缺陷。

A key characteristic of animals is their capacity to produce external cutaneous coloration, which is essential for survival, social communication, and protection against damage from solar UV radiation. In mammals, coloration develops through production of melanins by cells called melanocytes, and its transfer to other skin cells termed keratinocytes. The processes whereby melanin is taken up by keratinocytes are not known. We have identified a protein called integrin-linked kinase (ILK) as one of the factors necessary for melanin uptake. Our research will determine how ILK functions during melanin uptake, and how alterations in ILK result in defective melanin transfer and skin or hair coloration.