The MC1R gene is considered a master regulator of pigment production and distribution throughout the skin (pigmentary function) (Puig et al., 2005) as well as a regulator of antioxidant defenses and DNA repair mechanisms (non-pigmentary function) (Rees, 2004; Abdel-Malek et al., 2014), thereby supporting its role in melanoma development. This evidence concerns the gene MC1R and melanoma.