These proteins are required for melanocyte stem cell self-
maintenance and, as such, correct pigmentation throughout the
mice's life span. Without these two proteins, the mice's fur
turns white. Their research is published in the review 'Cell
Report' and paves the way for serious possibilities in terms of
stopping the formation of melanomas, tumours that originate from
melanocyte cells. Melanocytes are cells in the organism used for
skin, fur and hair pigment. This pigmentation function provides
protection from the sun and lends organisms their colour.
Malfunctions in these cells may lead to skin cancer known as
melanoma. Melanomas are highly aggressive cancers that become
very difficult to treat as they develop and metastases occur. A
few years ago, researchers discovered that, in humans, the B-Raf
gene (coding gene for protein of the same name) is mutated in
more than 50% of melanoma. Spectacular progress has been made in
recent years in the treatment of this cancer, thanks to the
development of pharmacologi