scholarly journals Identification of L-Cysteinamide as a Potent Inhibitor of Tyrosinase-Mediated Dopachrome Formation and Eumelanin Synthesis

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1202
Author(s):  
Hyun Kyung Lee ◽  
Jae Won Ha ◽  
Yun Jeong Hwang ◽  
Yong Chool Boo

The purpose of this study is to identify amino acid derivatives with potent anti-eumelanogenic activity. First, we compared the effects of twenty different amidated amino acids on tyrosinase (TYR)-mediated dopachrome formation in vitro and melanin content in dark-pigmented human melanoma MNT-1 cells. The results showed that only L-cysteinamide inhibited TYR-mediated dopachrome formation in vitro and reduced the melanin content of cells. Next, the antimelanogenic effect of L-cysteinamide was compared to those of other thiol compounds (L-cysteine, N-acetyl L-cysteine, glutathione, L-cysteine ethyl ester, N-acetyl L-cysteinamide, and cysteamine) and positive controls with known antimelanogenic effects (kojic acid and β-arbutin). The results showed the unique properties of L-cysteinamide, which effectively reduces melanin content without causing cytotoxicity. L-Cysteinamide did not affect the mRNA and protein levels of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and dopachrome tautomerase in MNT-1 cells. L-Cysteinamide exhibited similar properties in normal human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs). Experiments using mushroom TYR suggest that L-cysteinamide at certain concentrations can inhibit eumelanin synthesis through a dual mechanism by inhibiting TYR-catalyzed dopaquinone synthesis and by diverting the synthesized dopaquinone to the formation of DOPA-cysteinamide conjugates rather than dopachrome. Finally, L-cysteinamide was shown to increase pheomelanin content while decreasing eumelanin and total melanin contents in MNT-1 cells. This study suggests that L-cysteinamide has an optimal structure that can effectively and safely inhibit eumelanin synthesis in MNT-1 cells and HEMs, and will be useful in controlling skin hyperpigmentation.

1994 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 1095-1103
Author(s):  
C. Romero ◽  
E. Aberdam ◽  
C. Larnier ◽  
J.P. Ortonne

Retinoic acid (RA) is a hormone-like agent involved in the control of cell differentiation. The most characteristic feature of melanocyte differentiation, melanogenesis, is stimulated by UV radiations. Excessive chronic sun exposure results in irregular skin hypermelanosis that can be partially corrected by topical RA. The basic mechanisms underlying this effect of RA are unknown. To determine whether RA can directly modulate excessive melanin synthesis, we analyzed the in vitro effect of cis- and trans-RA on UVB-induced melanogenesis in S91 mouse melanoma cells and in normal human melanocytes (NHM). In both cells types, the two RA isoforms significantly decreased the UVB-stimulated melanogenesis in term of tyrosinase activity and melanin neosynthesis. To correlate changes in melanogenesis with the expression of melanogenic enzymes, we determined the neosynthesis rate of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1/gp 75) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2/DOPAchrome tautomerase). Here we show that UVB-induced melanogenesis in NHM is related to an increased synthesis of tyrosinase and TRP-1 and to a dramatic decrease of TRP-2 expression. RA inhibition of UVB-induced melanogenesis acts at the post-transcriptional level leading to a decreased tyrosinase and TRP-1 synthesis. We also show that in NHM, inhibition of TRP-2 following UVB-treatment is significantly reversed by RA. This demonstrates a negative correlation between melanogenesis and TRP-2 expression.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 3396-3403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Guyonneau ◽  
Fabien Murisier ◽  
Anita Rossier ◽  
Alexandre Moulin ◽  
Friedrich Beermann

ABSTRACT The tyrosinase family comprises three members, tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (Tyrp1), and dopachrome tautomerase (Dct). Null mutations and deletions at the Tyr and Tyrp1 loci are known and phenotypically affect coat color due to the absence of enzyme or intracellular mislocalization. At the Dct locus, three mutations are known that lead to pigmentation phenotype. However, these mutations are not null mutations, and we therefore set out to generate a null allele at the Dct gene locus by removing exon 1 of the mouse Dct gene. Mice deficient in Dct [Dcttm1(Cre)Bee ] lack Dct mRNA and dopachrome tautomerase protein. They are viable and do not show any abnormalities in Dct-expressing sites such as skin, retinal pigment epithelium, or brain. However, the mice show a diluted coat color phenotype, which is due to reduced melanin content in hair. Primary melanocytes from Dct knockout mice are viable in culture and show a normal distribution of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1. In comparison to the knockout, the slaty mutation (Dctslt /Dctslt ) has less melanin and affects growth of primary melanocytes severely. In summary, we have generated a knockout of the Dct gene in mice with effects restricted to pigment production and coat color.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (01) ◽  
pp. e34-e44
Author(s):  
Myra O. Villareal ◽  
Thanyanan Chaochaiphat ◽  
Meriem Bejaoui ◽  
Kozo Sato ◽  
Hiroko Isoda

AbstractThe skin color is imparted by the pigment melanin produced in the melanosomes of melanocytes, through the catalytic action of melanogenesis enzymes tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and dopachrome tautomerase. Disruptions in the melanogenesis process may result to hypopigmentation, as observed in cutaneous postinflammatory conditions. Here, the bioactivity of tara tannin, specifically on melanogenesis, was evaluated in vitro using human epidermal melanocytes (HEM) and B16F10 murine melanoma cells in order to determine the possibility that it may be used as a treatment against hypopigmentation. The melanin content of tara tannin-treated B16F10 cells and the expression level of melanogenesis enzymes and melanosome transport proteins were determined. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of tara tannin’s effect on melanogenesis, DNA microarray analysis was performed. Tara tannin significantly increased melanogenesis in both murine and human pigment cell models by upregulating melanogenesis-associated enzymes’ (tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and dopachrome tautomerase) protein and mRNA expression levels, as well as the melanosome transport proteins (myosin Va and RAB27A) expression, both attributed to increased microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression. Global gene expression analysis results revealed the modulation of genes (p≤0.05; fold-change ≥2.0 and ≤−2.0) that are under the transcriptional regulation of MITF and genes relevant for MAPK signaling, metabolic pathways, and cell cycle. Tara tannin has a significant effective melanogenesis-promoting effect, making it a potential therapeutic agent against hypopigmentation disorders. This is the first report on the melanogenesis regulatory effect of tara tannin in vitro.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 1890-1902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfei Zhang ◽  
Chen Tu ◽  
Dingwei Zhang ◽  
Yan Zheng ◽  
Zhenhui Peng ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Wnt5a is overexpressed in psoriasis lesions, however the mechanism by which Wnt5a is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis is not clear. To address this, the expression of Wnt5a in psoriatic lesions and its effect on keratinocyte cell proliferation and apoptosis was examined in vitro. Methods: The expression levels of WNT5A, and genes encoding its receptors frizzled2 (FZD2) and frizzled5 (FZD5) were examined in samples obtained from individuals with psoriasis and healthy controls. Knockdown of Wnt5a with short interfering (si)RNAs was performed in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes and normal human keratinocytes (NHK), and the expression of Wnt5a, protein kinase C (PKC), and β-catenin were determined, and cell cycle activity, proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. Results: The expression of WNT5A, FZD2 and FZD5 mRNA and protein were increased in psoriatic lesions. Wnt5a knockdown suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in HaCaT and NHK cells. Additionally, expression of PCNA, MKI67, CCND1, BCL2, CTNNB1, and genes encoding PKC and survivin were downregulated, whereas CASP3 was upregulated. The mRNA levels of the Wnt pathway inhibitors DKK1 and SFRP1 were upregulated, Western blotting analyses demonstrated reduction in β-catenin and PKC protein levels. Conclusion: Knockdown of Wnt5a suppresses the proliferation of keratinocytes and induces apoptosis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin or Wnt5a/Ca2+ pathways.


2010 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 2024-2033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Del Galdo ◽  
Peter J Wermuth ◽  
Sankar Addya ◽  
Paolo Fortina ◽  
Sergio A Jimenez

ObjectiveNephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a generalised fibrotic disorder occurring in certain individuals with renal insufficiency exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GdBCA) for MRI. Histopathological examination of affected tissues shows increased numbers of activated macrophages. To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for macrophage activation, the effects of the GdBCA Omniscan on normal human macrophage global gene expression, chemokine production and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) activation was examined.MethodsNormal human monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with Omniscan (50 mM) and their gene expression analysed by microarrays and real-time PCR. Macrophage chemokine production was assayed by multiplex ELISA. NFκB activation was assessed by NFκB nuclear localisation and quantitation of intracellular levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein. A specific cell-permeable NFκB peptide inhibitor was used to abrogate NFκB stimulation of chemokine and iNOS protein levels. CCL8/MCP-2 in affected skin of patients with NSF was examined by indirect immunofluorescence.ResultsOmniscan caused a profound change in the transcriptome of differentiated human normal macrophages in vitro, including a large increase in the expression of genes encoding CC and CXC chemokines. It induced rapid nuclear localisation of NFκB and stimulation of iNOS protein levels and chemokine production which were blocked by an NFκB inhibitory peptide. CCL8/MCP-2, the most upregulated chemokine following in vitro macrophage exposure to Omniscan, was strongly increased in NSF-affected skin.ConclusionThe GdBCA Omniscan induces potent stimulation of macrophage gene expression, NFκB activation and increased NFκB-mediated production of CC and CXC chemokines and iNOS. These alterations may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of NSF.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 799-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Putu Linda Laksmiani ◽  
I. Putu Wiratama Nugraha

Excessive exposure of UV light increase melanin synthesis and cause hyperpigmentation of the skin. The pharmacological activity of secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) with the main compound, brazilien and brazilin as antioxidants that have potency as free radicals scavenger and directly inhibit tyrosinase activity in the process of melanogenesis. This study aims to determine the inhibitory ability of secang ethanolic extract on tyrosinase enzymes in vitro and evaluate the affinity of brazilein and brazilin as skin depigmentation agents against melanogenesis target protein in silico using molecular docking. In vitro testing using tyrosinase inhibitor assay with L-DOPA as its substrate and calculated the percentage inhibition value and IC50. The IC50 of the extract than compared with the positive control, namely kojic acid and ascorbic acid. Insilico research was carried out using autodock 4.2 program by evaluating the binding energy between the active compound of brazilein and brazilin with melanogenesis protein. Inhibition of the tyrosinase enzyme is showed through the IC50 value from ethanolic extract, kojic acid and ascorbic acid respectively 104 μg/ mL, 44 μg/mL and 37 μg/mL. Binding energy of the molecular docking process between brazilein, brazilin, kojic acid and ascorbic acid with the target protein of melanogenesis enzymes (tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein 1, and D-Dopachrome tauomerase) are -8.37; -6.56; -5.03; -5.35 kcal/mol in tyrosinase, -7.75; -6.40; -5.32; -5.8 kcal/mol in tyrosinase related proteins 1 and -9.93; -8.26; -5.8; -6.52 kcal/mol in D-Dopachrome tautomerase. Secang ethanolic extract could be developed into a skin lightening agent or depigmentation agent through inhibition of 3 target proteins that induce melanogenesis. Although invitro results show the inhibitory ability of the tyrosinase enzyme is lower than kojic acid and ascorbic acid but in silico, it is seen that brazilein and brazilin in secang ethanolic extract have a stronger affinity compared to kojic acid and ascorbic acid. For this reason, it is necessary to purify the extract into a fraction so that it can get more active ingredients of brazilein and brazilin, and in vitro testing for inhibition of the tyrosinase related protein 1 enzyme, and D-Dopachrome tautomerase.


1993 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 1323-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Abdel-Malek ◽  
V. Swope ◽  
C. Collins ◽  
R. Boissy ◽  
H. Zhao ◽  
...  

Human melanocytes from individuals with different skin types, as well as from the skin of the same individual, are heterogeneous in their melanin content. This heterogeneity may be attributed to differences in the activity and expression of the three melanogenic proteins: tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2 (gp75 and DOPAchrome tautomerase, respectively), which in turn are affected by certain regulatory factors. Established melanocyte strains that exhibited intrinsic melanogenic heterogeneity could be separated into subpopulations according to density and melanin content by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The least melanotic subpopulation consisted of melanocytes that contained an active tyrosinase enzyme and a low amount of melanin. Tyrosinase activity and the quantities of tyrosinase enzyme, tyrosinase-related protein-1 and DOPAchrome tautomerase gradually increased with increased melanin content and Percoll density of the isolated melanocyte subpopulations. We have found a direct correlation between melanin content, tyrosinase activity and the expression of the three melanogenic proteins in melanocyte strains established from different skin types. Addition of the two epidermal cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1 alpha, to cultures of human melanocytes from different skin types caused decreased proliferation, tyrosinase activity and expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 and DOPAchrome tautomerase. Similar results were obtained when Percoll-derived melanocyte subpopulations were treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 alpha. These results indicate that the variation in melanin content in human melanocytes is due to differences in the activity and expression of the melanogenic proteins, which are influenced by autocrine and paracrine factors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al Saedi ◽  
Craig A. Goodman ◽  
Damian E. Myers ◽  
Alan Hayes ◽  
Gustavo Duque

Abstract Bone marrow fat infiltration is one of the hallmarks of aging and osteoporotic bones. Marrow adipocytes produce substantial amounts of palmitic acid (PA). PA is toxic to bone-forming osteoblasts in vitro, affecting their differentiation, function, and survival. Since rapamycin (RAP)-induced inhibition of target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activates autophagy and prevents apoptosis, we hypothesized that RAP may preserve osteoblast viability and reduce PA-induced lipotoxicity. Normal human osteoblasts were incubated with RAP in the presence of a lipotoxic concentration of PA or vehicle for 24 and 48 hours. Expression of LC3 protein levels and the phosphorylation of the direct mTORC1 target p70S6K1-T389 were quantified by Western blot. Lysosomes and autophagosomes were studied using confocal fluorescence imaging, lysotracker, and live-cell imaging. RAP reduced PA-induced apoptosis. In addition, PA-induced autophagosome formation increased substantially over the time-course, an effect that was significantly regulated by the presence of RAP in the media. In addition, LC3I/II ratios were higher in PA-induced cells with RAP whereas p70S6K1-T389 were lower in PA and RAP together. In summary, this study highlights the role of the RAP-sensitive mTORC1 pathway in normal human osteoblasts under lipotoxic conditions. RAP-associated therapies could, potentially, be targeted for specific roles in osteoporosis and aging bone.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4732
Author(s):  
You Chul Chung ◽  
Chang-Gu Hyun

Melanin protects our skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, when produced in excess, it can cause hyperpigmentation disorders, such as melanoma, freckles, lentigo, and blotches. In this study, we investigated the effects of pinostilbene hydrate (PH) on melanogenesis. We also examined the underlying mechanisms of PH on melanin production in B16F10 cells. Our findings indicated that PH significantly inhibits melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity in cells without causing cytotoxicity. In addition, Western blot analysis showed that PH downregulated the protein levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and other melanogenic enzymes, such as tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2). Although PH activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), it inhibited p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38). Furthermore, the inhibition of tyrosinase activity by PH was attenuated by treatment with PD98059 (a specific ERK inhibitor). Additionally, p-AKT was upregulated by PH treatment. Finally, the inhibitory effects of PH on melanin content and tyrosinase activity were confirmed in normal human melanocytes. These results suggest PH downregulates melanogenesis via the inhibition of MITF expression, followed by the MAPKase signaling pathways. Thus, PH may be used to treat or prevent hyperpigmentation disorders and in functional cosmetic agents for skin whitening.


1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (01) ◽  
pp. 060-062 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Harsfalvi ◽  
E Tarcsa ◽  
M Udvardy ◽  
G Zajka ◽  
T Szarvas ◽  
...  

Summaryɛ(γ-glutamyl)lysine isodipeptide has been detected in normal human plasma by a sensitive HPLC technique in a concentration of 1.9-3.6 μmol/1. Incubation of in vitro clotted plasma at 37° C for 12 h resulted in an increased amount of isodipeptide, and there was no further significant change when streptokinase was also present. Increased in vivo isodipeptide concentrations were also observed in hypercoagulable states and during fibrinolytic therapy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document