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GeneBLAzer® MC1R CRE-bla CHO-K1 cells contain the human Melanocortin Receptor 1 (MC1R) stably integrated into the CellSensor® CRE-bla CHO-K1 cell line. CellSensor® CRE-bla CHO-K1 cells (Cat. no. K1535) contain a beta-lactamase reporter gene under control of the Cyclic AMP Response Element (CRE) response element.

The GeneBLAzer® MC1R CRE-bla CHO-K1 cells are functionally validated for Z' and EC₅₀ concentrations of NDP-α-MSH. In addition, GeneBLAzer® MC1R CRE-bla CHO-K1 cells have been tested for assay performance under variable conditions. These data are found in the Validation & Assay Performance Summary.

The MC1 receptor (previously refered to as MSH-R) is the melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor expressed in melanocytes and involved in the regulation of pigment production. Two types of melanin exist: pheomelanin and eumelanin. Loss in function mutations in MC1R are associated with increased pheomelanin production, leading to lighter skin and hair color. Eumelanin is photoprotective but pheomelanin may contribute to UV-induced skin damage by generating free radicals upon UV radiation. MC1R is a major determining factor in sun sensitivity and is a genetic risk factor for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Over 30 variant alleles for MC1R have been identified correlating to skin and hair color, providing evidence that MC1R is an important component in determining normal human pigment variation. Additionally, the involvement of the melanocortins in inflammation and exocrine secretion are likely to spur the development of selective MC1 and MC5 compounds