Role of thiol compounds in mammalian melanin pigmentation. II. Glutathione and related enzymatic activities.
Previously, we reported evidence suggesting that, in addition to tyrosinase, glutathione-reductase plays an important role in the regulation and control of the biosynthetic activity of melanocytes. Further investigations were performed on a mammal presenting a well-defined genotype for coat pigmentation, the mutant mouse [subline C57 BL (6J)], namely the nonagouti black (a/a) mutant and the yellow (Ay/a) mutant showing, respectively, pure uniform eumelanin and phaeomelanin pigmentation. Analysis of thiol compounds and glutathione-related enzyme levels in mouse skin gave similar results to those found in tortoise-shell guinea pig skin. The observed differences in the glutathione and glutathione-related enzyme content between black and yellow (or red) skin provide evidence that the increase of glutathione-reductase activity in the environment of the melanocytes may stimulate the pigment cells to produce phaeomelanin instead of eumelanin pigment.
D000818:Animals; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000032:analysis; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008543:Melanins / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D012867:Skin / Q000201:enzymology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation
D008543:Melanins; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005978:Glutathione