Cellular recognition between melanocytes and keratinocytes is an important event involved in melanosome transfer.

Lectins and neoglycoproteins have been explored as candidates that are involved in this phenomenon, because of their influence in cellular processes including intracellular trafficking, endocytosis and cell-cell recognition.

Interestingly, it was  demonstrated a role for melanocyte and keratinocyte membrane glycosylated residues in the process of receptor-mediated endocytosis to facilitate melanosome transfer.

Studies suggest that lectins and neoglycoproteins play an inhibitory role in this process. Specifically, plasma membrane lectins and their glycoconjugates are thought to interrupt melanocyte and keratinocyte contact and interaction, by binding their specific plasma membrane receptors, inhibiting melanosome transfer. This inhibition is reversible and is shown to be enhanced by the presence of niacinamide.