title: Macrophages release melanocyte dendrite extension factor in response to ultra-violet ray.
abstract: Mammalian melanocytes in epidermis extend their dendrites in response to UV ray in vivo in addition to proliferation and pigmentation. We found that cultured macrophages exert a factor in response to UV irradiation and that this factor induces the extension of dendrites of melanocyte. We designated this factor as dendrite extension factor (DEF) and characterized it as a protein. Our results indicate that the molecular weight of DEF is 30,000-100,000 and that it is heat-labile. Macrophages release DEF through transcription and translation. DEF seems to be a novel factor that enhances melanogenesis by UV irradiation.
authors.affiliation: Biological Institute, Faculty of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katagiri
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
mesh_terms: D000546:Amanitins / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003712:Dendrites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008970:Molecular Weight; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000546:Amanitins; D001685:Biological Factors; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003513:Cycloheximide