melanin catabolic process

Term ID

GO:0046150

Synonyms

• melanin breakdown
• melanin catabolism
• melanin degradation

Definition

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of melanins, pigments largely of animal origin. High molecular weight polymers of indole quinone, they are irregular polymeric structures and are divided into three groups: allomelanins in the plant kingdom and eumelanins and phaeomelanins in the animal kingdom. 0198506732

References

Ontology

GO: Biological Process    QuickGO    AmiGO