Pheomelanin in the skin of Hymenochirus boettgeri (Amphibia: Anura: Pipidae)

• Published in: Experimental dermatology Vol. 21; no. 7; pp. 537 - 540
• Main Authors: Wolnicka-Glubisz, Agnieszka, Pecio, Anna, Podkowa, Dagmara, Kolodziejczyk, Lukasz M., Plonka, Przemyslaw M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-07-2012; Blackwell
• Subjects: amphibians; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Dermis - chemistry; Dermis - metabolism; Dermis - radiation effects; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; Epidermis - chemistry; Epidermis - metabolism; Epidermis - radiation effects; Immunohistochemistry; Larva; Medical sciences; Melanins - analysis; melanocytes; melanogenesis; Melanosomes; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; pigmentation; Pipidae; Pyrimidine Dimers - metabolism; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; UV; pigmentation; melanocytes; Dermatology; melanogenesis; Skin; amphibians
• ISSN: 0906-6705; 1600-0625
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2012.01511.x

Pheomelanin is supposed to be the first type of melanin found in vertebrates, in contrast to the main type – eumelanin. Our study aimed at detecting pheomelanin in the skin of Hymenochirus boettgerii. We employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), supplemented with standard histology and immunochemistry. We identified pheomelanin in the dorsal skin of adult frogs (not only in the dermis, but also in the epidermis) and in the dorsal tadpole. Our work identifies Hymenochirus boettgerii as a model in the basic study on the mechanism, evolution and role of melanogenesis in animals, including human.