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Melanocyte Proliferation

Meaning

Melanocyte proliferation is the biological process of rapid cell division and increase in the number of melanocytes, which are the specialized cells located in the basal layer of the epidermis responsible for synthesizing the pigment melanin. This proliferation is a fundamental mechanism in the physiological response to UV radiation, leading to tanning, but it is also the underlying cellular event in the development of melanocytic nevi and melanoma. Hormonal signals, such as Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH) and certain sex steroids, can influence this proliferative rate.