Mutations with Melanin

[remmie]

I was hoping someone could give me an answer, or at least a good place to start on this question i have.

 

I'm a writer and am currently playing with the idea of mutations w/in the human body (chromosomes, genes, etc), focusing on the effects that melanin would have as a mutation. If, in theory, the melanin was affected by the genetic mutation, what would be the most realistic outcome of skin/hair/eye color?

 

Would it be realistic to have natural colors darken dramatically, natural colors lighten, or even have a mutation of unnatural colors mixing into hair/skin/eyes?

 

I want to state that I am not, in any way, scientifically inclined enough to ask this the way it probably needs to be, but I've been curious and hope you all could give me a general idea. Anything that adds to this (if there's something that could do that with melanin, or something different completely) I would love all the help I could get!

[remmie]

Anyone got anything for me?

[StringJunky]

Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes. In eyes, it will make them some shade of brown, if abundant, and less will produce blue, grey or green In skin it will make a person darker. Complete absence in both cases will produce a person with albinism; very white skin and eyes can be pink because the blood vessels show through the iris but otherwise very pale blue.

Edited December 6, 2016 by StringJunky

[CharonY]

Just to be clear, melanin is a metabolite and therefore cannot be mutated. However, there are already genetic variations known in genes that are involved in melanin synthesis and regulation. This is why we have the variations in colour. However, I am not quite sure what specifically you are asking.

[fredreload]

I also took and interesting in the production of melanin, well my idea is to have more variety of colors, but only those that can be generated by the amino acid. Here's a look at Wikipedia description. So if you do figure out how to make different colors with these techniques, that would be cool. Keep in mind the color is the wavelength of light that eyes can perceive

[CharonY]

That is not what is commonly known as an idea.

[iNow]

Are you looking for a way to make skin genetically blue or polka dotted or iridescent or something along those lines?

[StringJunky]

Are you looking for a way to make skin genetically blue or polka dotted or iridescent or something along those lines?

Given people's propensity for way out tattoos I think there will be takers.