Increased PHGDH Expression Promotes Aberrant Melanin Accumulation

The study investigated the effects of increased PHGDH expression on melanin accumulation using genetically modified mice with inducible PHGDH expression. Results showed that these mice exhibited increased serine biosynthesis and abnormal melanin granule presence in early anagen hair follicles, which typically do not produce melanin until later in the cycle. This was accompanied by a higher abundance of melanocytes in early anagen skin. The findings suggested that while increased PHGDH expression affected normal melanocyte biology, it was not sufficient to induce cancer.