[9] Melanocytes are derived from the neural crest and migrate into the overlying epidermal ectoderm of a developing organism which forms skin and hair.

[11] Tyrp1 mRNA interacts with miR-16 and affects its ability to repress genes involved in melanoma cell production.

In Dalmatians, black versus "liver" spot color is due to genetic variation of the TYRP1 gene.

[17] In Oujiang-color carp, mutations of the Tyrp1 gene influenced the expression of "grey" or "brown" phenotypic color of scales.

[11] Such studies provide insight to possible clinical usage and treatment of melanoma via regulation of Tyrp1 expression in cells.