Do cells play the gender

The micron-level societies of cells also exhibit social behaviours such as communication, competition, and division of labour. Do they imitate gender stereotypes? As researchers, we track cellular behaviour because it is important in maintaining tissue function. Here, I am sharing a novel perspective on the gender allocation of skin cells, keratinocytes, and melanocytes based on their functional behavior, not based on genetic code (chromosomes)!

Keratinocytes make up about 95% of the skin's total cell population, while melanocytes and some other cells account for the remaining 5%. Our body is protected from harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays through a pigment granule called melanosomes that melanocytes produce. Melanocytes stay much deeper in the skin, so they transfer melanosomes to keratinocytes that stay at the surface and provide photoprotection. Melanocytes are large cells with multiple dendrites that transfer these pigments to keratinocytes. One melanocyte transfers pigment (melanosome) to approximately 40 keratinocytes, a fascinating example of cellular cooperation. While keratinocytes are smaller they are numerous, serving as the main cells of the skin.

 The Image is representing a melanocyte transfering melanin to keratinocytes (Photo credit: Soham Panda).

 We (researchers/ my colleagues), always imagined that the "givers" melanocytes were male and the "receiver" keratinocytes were female. As adults, we first think about reproductive behaviour, and this imagination is passed on. But recently, I got a different view of it when Mstr. Soham (my child) came across a poster on melanocyte-keratinocyte communication (similar to as presented here).

Soham asked me, "So melanocytes are females?" I answered that the melanocyte is the male partner here. As males donate genetic material to a female, melanocytes donate melanin to keratinocytes. He said he thinks melanocytes are likely the females that transfer their kids to the male keratinocytes for caring! He gave several examples from the nature:

a) Females are generally bigger and bulkier than their male version as in zebrafish, cicadas, bats, and many others! Melanocytes are also bigger and bulkier compared to keratinocytes.

 b) Males take care of their offspring: In beehives, male bees take care of their offspring, and males are numerous compared to females.

 Similarly, melanocytes in the skin are very few compared to keratinocytes. Melanocytes are always surrounded by keratinocytes. Melanocytes transfer melanosomes (as offspring) to keratinocytes. Lastly, keratinocytes determine melanosome fate. (I thought on these points and convinced!).

c)  Male penguins and male seahorses are the ones who nurture their offspring. Females only pass on their eggs.

I found his logic to be more convincing than what I explained to him.

What are your thoughts on this?

Science on melanosome transfer:

Wu, X. and Hammer, J.A., 2014. Melanosome transfer: it is best to give and receive. Current opinion in cell biology, 29, pp.1-7.