Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in pigment synthesis, initiating a cascade of reactions which convert the amino acid tyrosine to the melanin biopolymer. Two other tyrosinase‐related proteins (TRP) are known, TRP‐1 (probably DHICAoxidase) and TRP‐2 (DOPAchrome tautomerase). These proteins show about 40% homology, and recent results have indicated that the genes might be derived from a common ancestor. We will discuss recent findings on genomic organization, and on the proteins and their presumed function, which is important for eumelanin synthesis in mouse and man.