What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Melanoma and Pigmentation: 8/10 evidence, 11 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Lower Melanoma Risk and Darker Pigmentation
Darker skin, hair, and eye pigmentation provide natural protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. This genotype is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing melanoma but carries a higher susceptibility to the autoimmune condition vitiligo.
What this genotype means: Lower risk of melanoma; Higher risk of vitiligo; Darker hair and eye pigmentation.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Higher Melanoma Risk and Lighter Pigmentation
Lighter skin, blond hair, and blue eyes reduce natural UV protection and increase sun sensitivity. This genotype is linked to a higher risk of melanoma but offers strong protection against vitiligo.
What this genotype means: Higher risk of melanoma; Lower risk of vitiligo; Lighter hair and eye pigmentation.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/A
Typical Melanoma Risk and Intermediate Pigmentation
Carrying one copy of each allele results in intermediate pigment levels and typical sun sensitivity. The risks for both melanoma and vitiligo remain close to average population baselines.
What this genotype means: Average risk of melanoma; Average risk of vitiligo; Intermediate sun sensitivity.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The TYR gene encodes tyrosinase, an essential enzyme that catalyzes the first steps of melanin production in melanocytes [1]. Melanin is the primary pigment responsible for the coloration of skin, hair, and eyes, and it provides critical defense against ultraviolet radiation [1]. Variations in this gene can alter the efficiency of melanin synthesis, leading to differences in pigmentation phenotypes across human populations [2]. Reduced tyrosinase activity is classically linked to lighter skin, blond hair, and blue eyes, as well as an increased susceptibility to sun damage [2]. Conversely, highly active tyrosinase supports darker pigmentation, which shields cells from UV-induced DNA damage [1].
Variant Impact: The rs1393350 variant is an intronic change in the TYR gene that influences how the tyrosinase enzyme is expressed and regulated [1]. This genetic change acts as a major molecular switch between lighter and darker pigmentation profiles in European populations [1]. The presence of the A allele reduces tyrosinase expression, leading to lighter skin, blond hair, and blue eyes [1]. This reduction in pigment also increases the risk of developing cutaneous melanoma due to decreased natural UV protection [3]. Interestingly, the same G allele that protects against melanoma by increasing pigment production also elevates the risk of vitiligo, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks active melanocytes [4].
Read on the Burns or Tans page
Key Insight: This variant represents a direct evolutionary trade-off: the same genetic allele that protects against skin cancer increases the risk of the autoimmune condition vitiligo.
Location: TYR. Chromosome 11 · 11q14.3 · 89.3 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 70.0%; European 53.9%; African 90.9%; East Asian 99.6%; South Asian 87.8%; Americas 71.8%; Ashkenazi 59.0%; Finnish 71.2%; Middle Eastern 64.8%; Amish 64.8%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 26.2%; European 39.0%; African 8.9%; East Asian 0.4%; South Asian 11.8%; Americas 25.9%; Ashkenazi 35.6%; Finnish 26.4%; Middle Eastern 31.4%; Amish 31.4%.
Estimated GA genotype frequency.
Global 3.8%; European 7.1%; African 0.2%; East Asian < 0.1%; South Asian 0.4%; Americas 2.3%; Ashkenazi 5.4%; Finnish 2.4%; Middle Eastern 3.8%; Amish 3.8%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Cancer & Oncology
Skin Cancer
Melanoma. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 19578364. Lower Risk.
Organ Systems
Skin & Hair Conditions
Vitiligo. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20410501. ~1.5x Higher Risk.
Pigmentation & Appearance
Sun Sensitivity. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 17952075. Lower Sensitivity.
Eye Color. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 17952075. Darker Eyes.
Hair Color. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30531825. Darker Hair.
Tanning Response. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 19340012. Easier Tanning.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Melanoma. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 19578364. ~1.3x Higher Risk.
Vitiligo. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20410501. Lower Risk.
Sun Sensitivity. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 17952075. ~1.26x Higher Risk.
Eye Color. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 17952075. Lighter Eyes.
Hair Color. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30531825. Blond/Lighter Hair.
Tanning Response. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 19340012. Reduced Tanning.
Showing effects for G/A genotype
Melanoma. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 19578364. Typical Risk.
Vitiligo. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 20410501. Typical Risk.
Sun Sensitivity. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 17952075. Typical Sensitivity.
Eye Color. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 17952075. Intermediate.
Hair Color. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30531825. Intermediate.
Tanning Response. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 19340012. Typical Tanning.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Melanin production is highly active with this genotype, resulting in darker hair, brown eyes, and skin that tans easily rather than burning [1]. This robust pigment barrier blocks ultraviolet radiation, which explains the significantly lower rates of melanoma observed in large genetic studies [2]. However, this active pigment machinery also makes melanocytes a more prominent target for the immune system [3]. As a result, there is a higher risk of developing vitiligo, an autoimmune condition characterized by patchy skin depigmentation [3]. The body's immune cells mistakenly attack the highly active tyrosinase-producing cells, creating a biological trade-off between cancer protection and autoimmunity [3].
Lower risk of melanoma; Higher risk of vitiligo; Darker hair and eye pigmentation.
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Tyrosinase activity is significantly reduced, leading to lighter skin, blond hair, and blue or green eyes [1]. Because the skin has less protective melanin, it is highly sensitive to the sun and prone to burning rather than tanning [2]. This increased vulnerability to UV-induced DNA damage underlies the higher risk of developing melanoma [3]. Conversely, the inactive pigment system makes melanocytes less visible to the immune system, resulting in a very low risk of vitiligo [4]. Practicing diligent sun safety, including daily sunscreen use and regular skin checks, is particularly important for managing these risks [2].
Higher risk of melanoma; Lower risk of vitiligo; Lighter hair and eye pigmentation.
Sample genotype: GA (Heterozygous)
Pigment production is balanced, typically resulting in intermediate skin sensitivity and a moderate ability to tan [1]. The risk of developing melanoma is near the population average, as the single protective G allele helps maintain baseline melanin defense [2]. Similarly, the risk of vitiligo is intermediate, avoiding the higher autoimmune susceptibility seen in G/G homozygotes [3]. This heterozygous state represents a common genetic middle ground, balancing UV protection and autoimmune risk [3]. Standard sun protection measures, such as wearing sunscreen and limiting direct midday exposure, remain highly effective [1].
Average risk of melanoma; Average risk of vitiligo; Intermediate sun sensitivity.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs1042602 · TYR Gene · Chr 11 · Skin Pigmentation
rs1126809 · TYR Gene · Chr 11 · Skin Cancer Risk
rs12913832 · HERC2 Gene · Chr 15 · Eye Color and Skin Cancer
Genetic determinants of hair, eye and skin pigmentation in Europeans.
Genome-wide association study identifies three loci associated with melanoma risk.
Variant of TYR and autoimmunity susceptibility loci in generalized vitiligo.
Genome-wide association study of tanning phenotype in a population of European ancestry.
Content updated August 2026.
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