A team of researchers from NOVA Medical School has just identified a new compartment within keratinocytes, skin cells essential for protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which they have named "melanokerasome." This discovery deepens the understanding of the mechanisms involved in melanin preservation — the pigment responsible for skin color — and creates new possibilities for the prevention of skin cancer and other diseases related to sun exposure.
Duarte Barral, Professor at NOVA Medical School and leader of the study, states that "this discovery, first and foremost, helps us understand how the pigmentation process works, which gives each person their characteristic skin tone," and "in the future, it could contribute to the development of strategies to enhance protection against skin cancers, such as melanoma, as well as therapeutic solutions for pigmentation disorders like solar lentigo and melasma."
Melanin, which functions as a "natural sunscreen," is produced by skin cells called melanocytes and is later transferred to keratinocytes, where it strategically accumulates over the nuclei of these cells, protecting their DNA from UV-induced mutations.
However, until this discovery, the mechanisms for preserving melanin in keratinocytes were unknown. The compartment discovered in these cells by the NOVA Medical School researchers effectively preserves melanin and ensures its correct positioning over the nucleus, allowing it to perform its protective function throughout the cell's lifespan.
Although further studies are needed, the discovery of this new cellular organelle, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, marks a significant milestone in the study of skin pigmentation biology, with potential implications for both aesthetic dermatology and public health.