What Causes Pheomelanin

Pheomelanin, formed by oxidation of 5-S-Cys-dopamine and 5-S-Cys-dopa (l-tyrosine is polymerized with l-cysteine), is a yellowish-to-reddish color found in red hair, feathers, and freckles. Allomelanin is a dark brown-to-black colored pigment found in plants.

What is caused due to high levels of pheomelanin?

Pheomelanin is a lighter pigment found in red hair, and is concentrated in the redder areas of the skin such as the lips. Because people with red hair are less able to make the dark eumelanin pigment, their skin is generally quite pale and burns easily with sun exposure.

What is the purpose of pheomelanin?

Pheomelanin generation utilizes cysteine delivered by glutathione. Therefore, pheomelanin synthesis can reduce glutathione stores and make melanocytes more susceptible to DNA damage and genetic instability. Many studies have shown a correlation between pheomelanin and glutathione depletion and oxidative stress (57-59).