{
  "abstract": "Melanogenesis is well known to be activated by the α-MSH/MITF signaling pathway. Recent studies have further revealed that the IGF-1/IGF-1R metabolic signaling axis can also induce melanin synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that IRS-1, a key downstream adaptor of both IGF-1R and the insulin receptor (IR), acts as a bridge by connecting the upstream IGF-1R signaling with the downstream MITF/TYR axis to promote melanogenesis. Importantly, this function of IRS-1 may be tissue-specific, as insulin alone fails to stimulate melanogenesis. Deletion of the self-interaction region (SAR) abolishes the phase separation of IRS-1, thereby preventing the activation of melanogenesis. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel function of IRS-1 phase separation in melanogenesis. This work not only sheds light on understanding the regulatory mechanism of melanin homeostasis but also provides a potential strategy for cosmetics companies to develop more effective whitening products.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "Original Research",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Hao Di Liang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Shui Bo Xu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yi Ting Zhou"
    },
    {
      "name": "Li Ling Zheng"
    },
    {
      "name": "Chien Yi Koay"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hooi Yeen Yap"
    },
    {
      "name": "Bee Leng Lua"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4y8k8p27mekg3.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fmolb.2026.1947504",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "4y8k8p27mekg3",
  "issns": [
    "2296-889X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2026.1947504",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "feed-journal",
      "biochemistry/general"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-29",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4y8k8p27mekg3.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:16Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fmolb.2026.1947504",
      "source": "feed-frontiers",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2026.1947504"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:1312|Protein Structure and Dynamics",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "IRS-1 phase separation bridges IGF-1R signaling and the MITF/TYR axis to control melanogenesis",
  "title_text": "IRS-1 phase separation bridges IGF-1R signaling and the MITF/TYR axis to control melanogenesis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-31T00:20:30Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4y8k8p27mekg3",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences",
  "versions": []
}