The trk family of receptors mediates nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 effects in melanocytes.
We have recently shown that (a) human melanocytes express the p75 nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor in vitro; (b) that melanocyte dendricity and migration, among other behaviors, are regulated at least in part by NGF; and (c) that cultured human epidermal keratinocytes produce NGF. We now report that melanocyte stimulation with phorbol 12-tetra decanoate 13-acetate (TPA), previously reported to induce p75 NGF receptor, also induces trk in melanocytes, and TPA effect is further potentiated by the presence of keratinocytes in culture. Moreover, trk in melanocytes becomes phosphorylated within minutes after NGF stimulation. As well, cultures of dermal fibroblasts express neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) mRNA; NT-3 mRNA levels in cultured fibroblasts are modulated by mitogenic stimulation, UV irradiation, and exposure to melanocyte-conditioned medium. Moreover, melanocytes constitutively express low levels of trk-C, and its expression is downregulated after TPA stimulation. NT-3 supplementation to cultured melanocytes maintained in Medium 199 alone prevents cell death. These combined data suggest that melanocyte behavior in human skin may be influenced by neurotrophic factors, possibly of keratinocyte and fibroblast origin, which act through high affinity receptors.
Yaar
M
M
Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts 02118.
Eller
M S
MS
DiBenedetto
P
P
Reenstra
W R
WR
Zhai
S
S
McQuaid
T
T
Archambault
M
M
Gilchrest
B A
BA
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020933:Neurotrophin 3; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate