Characterization of melanosomes and melanin in Japanese patients with Hermansky –Pudlak syndrome types 1, 4, 6, and 9

In this study, we identified one patient each with HPS4, HPS6, and HPS9 by whole‐exome sequencing. Next, we analyzed hair samples from the three patients and representative patients with HPS1 and controls using electron microscopy and chemical methods. All HPS patients had fewer, smaller, and more immature melanosomes than healthy controls. Further, all patients showed reduced total melanin content and increased levels of benzothiazine‐type pheomelanin. The results of this study demonstrate the impact of the dysfunctions of BLOCs on the maturation of melanosomes and melanin levels and composition through analysis of their hair samples.

Source: Pigment Cell Research - November 2, 2017 Category: Cytology Authors: Ken Okamura, Yuko Abe, Yuta Araki, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Mariko Seishima, Takafumi Umetsu, Atsushi Kato, Masakazu Kawaguchi, Masahiro Hayashi, Yutaka Hozumi, Tamio Suzuki Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research