Since the 1970’s, it has been known that α-MSH activates the synthesis of cAMP, as demonstrated in vitro using mouse melanoma cells, and that the rise in cAMP levels stimulates the activity of tyrosinase, thus increasing melanin synthesis (Kreider et al., 1973; Pawelek et al., 1973; Wade and Burkart, 1978; Legros et al., 1981). The gene discussed is STAMBP; the disease is melanoma.