Deciphering Melanophagy: Role of the PTK2-ITCH-MLANA-OPTN Cascade on Melanophagy in Melanocytes

The authors discovered a regulatory signaling cascade that controlled melanophagy in 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate thymol ester (TCTE)-treated melanocytes. They highlight role of the protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2)-itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (ITCH)-melan-A (MLANA)-optineurin (OPTN) cascade in orchestrating melanophagy progression.