Insight into Neurodegenerative Disorder Using Melanocytes as a Model System

BACKGROUND: Neural crest cells (NCCs) by responding to several signals and paracrine factors get differentiated into different lineages like peripheral nervous system (PNS), chondrocytes, myofibroblast, endocrine, melanocytes, etc., Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells that share a common origin, paracrine factors (Wnt, FGF, and BMP), and transcription factors (TFs) with the neurons of the nervous system. OBJECTIVE: Neuronal model for neurodegenerative disorders are limited because of their nonhuman origin and transformation. In this review we propose the use melanocyte as a model system to study neurodegenerative studies. METHOD: Systematic Literature Review. RESULTS: The similarity between neural crest-derived melanocytes and neurons, makes melanocyte an important model to study several neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disorder. CONCLUSION: Melanocytes and neurons share common origin i.e. both arise from NCC and share identical signalling molecules and pathways. Neural crest-derived melanocytes can thus serve as a promising model system to study normal and pathological behaviour of less accessible neurons.