Melanocytes

Melanocytes are a type of dendritic cells that produce the brown-black melanin. This is delivered in the form of so-called melanosomes to the neighbouring skin cells (keratinocytes).

Melanin production is regulated by UV radiation and the [melanocyte stimulating hormone melanocyte stimulating hormone]. (MSH), melanotropin from the pituitary. In Addison's disease, for example, MSH is increasingly produced, which is reflected in increased skin coloration. Melanin, the brown skin colour, has a protective effect against UV light. If the skin is irradiated by the sun, it is formed more intensively. This enriches the irradiated part of the body with pigment and the skin tans.

If the enzyme that initiates this process is missing, this leads to albinism.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanozyt _{(Wikipedia CC-by-sa-3.0)}