591 | id == 591
591 | category_id == 63
591 | category_order == 28
591 | category_name == Skin Health
591 | category_color == #C47AC0
591 | slug == ASIP-melanoma
591 | title == The Effect of Skin Color on Melanoma (ASIP)
591 | meta_description == ASIP alters skin color. Variants of ASIP have been associated with melanoma. Read more here.
591 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>ASIP</em> gene is involved in skin color determination. What does skin color have to do with melanoma, and how might variants of this gene affect melanoma susceptibility and progression? Read more to find out.</strong></p>
591 | overall_score_text == Your Melanoma Score (based on ASIP gene)
591 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/ASIP-MAP1LC3A-Melanoma.jpg
591 | author_id == 14
591 | author_name == Shany Lahan
591 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
591 | author_order == 5
591 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
591 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
591 | reviewer == None
591 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
591 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
591 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
591 | publish_date == 2021
591 | publish_date == 1
591 | publish_date == 8
591 | avg_rating == 5.0
591 | tags_id == 1111
591 | tags_name == ASIP Gene
591 | tags_id == 164
591 | tags_name == Cancer
591 | tags_id == 1112
591 | tags_name == Eumelanin
591 | tags_id == 1114
591 | tags_name == MC1R
591 | tags_id == 1054
591 | tags_name == Melanin
591 | tags_id == 1097
591 | tags_name == Melanocyte
591 | tags_id == 1100
591 | tags_name == Melanoma
591 | tags_id == 1113
591 | tags_name == Pheomelanin
591 | tags_id == 1053
591 | tags_name == Pigmentation
591 | tags_id == 1101
591 | tags_name == Skin Cancer
591 | tags_id == 1098
591 | tags_name == Skin Color
591 | permissions_favorite == False
591 | permissions_rate == False
591 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ASIP</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> encodes a protein important for producing the double-edged pigment pheomelanin, which promotes the development of lighter skin. Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ASIP </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may play a role in melanoma by altering ASIP and pheomelanin production. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by limiting the activity of an ASIP receptor.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>ASIP</em></strong><strong> and Melanoma</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Skin color (as well as hair and eye color) is primarily dependent on the relative amounts of eumelanin and pheomelanin, two forms of the melanin pigment group [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4299862/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eumelanin gives off a brown-black color, while pheomelanin gives off a red-yellow color. Typically, greater amounts of eumelanin result in darker skin [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4299862/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Eumelanin is normally produced in response to activation of the <a href="https://selfdecode.com/blog/article/MC1R-melanoma-595/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">melanocortin 1 receptor</a> (MC1R), found on the surfaces of cells called melanocytes. When this receptor is inactivated or blocked, melanocytes instead stimulate the development of pheomelanin [</span><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mc1r/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/asip/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ASIP</span></em></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">gene codes for agouti-signaling protein (ASIP), which promotes pheomelanin production and the development of lighter skin by blocking MC1R [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/434"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/mc1r/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lighter skin is more susceptible to the effects of UV radiation. UV radiation from both the sun and artificial sources (e.g., tanning beds and sun lamps) can damage the DNA of melanocytes, potentially causing mutations that turn these cells into melanomas [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29936410/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, UV susceptibility may be desired during the course of the disease. This is because darker skin may hinder the efficacy of phototherapy and radiotherapy, thereby promoting melanoma progression [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4450257/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26881706/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interestingly, the production and activity of MC1R may be higher in melanoma than in normal tissues, suggesting that ASIP production or activity is low in this form of skin cancer [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2376124/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC384954/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ASIP </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">have been associated with melanoma. These variants may alter the production of ASIP, leading to dysregulated melanin production and consequent disease progression [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392271/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392271/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Your </strong><strong><em>ASIP</em></strong><strong> Results for Melanoma</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*9548992452356209*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Primary SNP:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>ASIP </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs910873/"><strong>rs910873</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392271/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Higher odds of melanoma</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Not associated with melanoma</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Other Important SNP:</strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>ASIP </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs1885120/"><strong>rs1885120</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392271/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Higher odds of melanoma, relative to &lsquo;G&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Lower odds of melanoma, relative to &lsquo;C&rsquo;</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><em>ASIP </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs6059655/"><strong>rs6059655</strong></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25826379/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5392271/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Higher odds of melanoma, relative to &lsquo;G&rsquo;</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Lower odds of melanoma, relative to &lsquo;A&rsquo;</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*8852201494761269*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Preventing Melanoma</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*7696663085625788*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">High levels of ASIP may increase susceptibility to melanoma, while low levels may promote melanoma progression. The recommendations below offer ways to balance the effects of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ASIP </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">risk variants by limiting the activity of MC1R.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Reducing UV Exposure</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/avoiding-sun-will-kill-14-proven-science-based-health-benefits-sun/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">UV</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> radiation may exacerbate the activity of MC1R [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11851885/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15921859/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Excessive, unprotected exposure to UV radiation is by far the main risk factor for the development of melanoma. As mentioned above, UV from both the sun and artificial sources (tanning beds and sun lamps) damages the DNA of melanocytes, potentially causing mutations that turn these cells into melanomas [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25398793/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29936410/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24629998/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">People with low levels of the protective pigment melanin, who typically have fair skin, blond or red hair, and light-colored eyes, are at higher risk of melanoma than those with dark skin [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31002590"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alternatively, every single mole has a small probability of turning into cancer. Having a high number of moles, especially if they are large or have atypical features, also increases the risk of this skin cancer type [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2545764/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26934430"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reducing UV radiation by limiting sun exposure (especially in the middle of the day), wearing protective clothing and sunscreen, and being aware of skin-sensitizing medications can greatly reduce the risk of melanoma.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Reducing UV exposure may help prevent melanoma by limiting the activity of MC1R.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Mediterranean Diet</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mediterranean diet is rich in </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/olive-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, fish, vegetables, legumes, fresh fruit, and herbs.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">One study determined two compounds that are likely consumed in greater amounts when adhering to the Mediterranean diet -- </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/panacea-benefits-broccoli-sprouts-sulforaphane/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sulforaphane</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (found in cruciferous vegetables) and carnosol (found in sage and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/rosemary-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rosemary</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) -- to decrease the activity of MC1R [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21071833/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a reduction in the risk of melanoma by approximately 30% in multiple studies [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31380561/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18621803/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26212104/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6769978/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4516764/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, high intake of citrus fruits (a common ingredient of the Mediterranean diet) is linked to an </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">increased </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">risk of melanoma. The high psoralen content of these fruits may make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4979231/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2741035/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31335211/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32791010/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32710289/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The Mediterranean diet may help prevent melanoma by limiting the activity of MC1R.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>B Vitamins</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a cell study, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b6/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin B6</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b6/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pyridoxine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) compounds were found to lower the amount of melanin by reducing MC1R-mediated activity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29552155/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Supplementation with a combination of vitamin B6, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/16-proven-benefits-vitamin-b9-folate-folic-acid/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">B9</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/16-proven-benefits-vitamin-b9-folate-folic-acid/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">folic acid</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), and </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/thiamine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">B1</span></a><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b12/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/vitamin-b12-test/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">cobalamin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) was associated with a reduced incidence of melanoma in 3 large studies [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22474057/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16531613/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2593624/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">B vitamins may help prevent melanoma by limiting the activity of MC1R.&nbsp;</span></p>
591 | content_snp_table_9548992452356209_key == 9548992452356209
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591 | content_learn_more_8852201494761269_key == 8852201494761269
591 | content_learn_more_8852201494761269_blur == True
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591 | content_learn_more_8852201494761269_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your ASIP gene is associated with somewhat higher odds of melanoma, relative to other variants. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of melanoma; it’s just one gene related to it. Reducing UV exposure, adhering to the Mediterranean diet, and supplementing with B vitamins may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
591 | content_recommendation_7696663085625788_key == 7696663085625788
591 | content_recommendation_7696663085625788_blur == True
591 | content_recommendation_7696663085625788_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs1885120,rs910873,rs6059655
rsStatus = rs1885120,MYH7B,chr20,34989186,C,G,T,,10,28,HET
rsStatus = rs910873,PIGU,chr20,34583968,G,A,C,,35,0,Normal
rsStatus = rs6059655,RALY,chr20,34077942,A,G,,,9,30,HET
