TRP-ing up melanophores: TRPM7, melanin synthesis, and pigment cell survival.

McNeill et al. (2007, this issue) dissect the potential role of TRPM7 ion channels in pigment cells by studying the phenotype of zebrafish trpm7 mutant embryos. They demonstrate that 1-phenyl-2-thiourea, a known melanin synthesis inhibitor, prevents melanophore cell death in these mutants. This suggests a potential functional link between TRPM7 signaling and the detoxification of melanin synthesis intermediates.