Characterization of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in human skin.
We have confirmed the expression of CRH and CRH receptor type 1 genes in human skin, cultured HaCaT keratinocytes, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma cells. The size of CRH messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), estimated by Northern blot hybridization, was 1.5 kilobases. CRH peptide was identified by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography separation in both whole skin and cultured cells. Forskolin and dexamethasone at concentrations of 10 micromol/L stimulated and inhibited, respectively, CRH peptide production in squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma cells, but had no significant effect on the CRH mRNA level. In melanoma cells, stimulation of melanogenesis down-regulated CRH receptor type 1 mRNA expression, but was without effect on CRH mRNA production. We suggest that in human skin the CRH signaling system is both operative and under regulatory control.
Slominski
A
A
Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Ermak
G
G
Mazurkiewicz
J E
JE
Baker
J
J
Wortsman
J
J
D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008543:Melanins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005576:Colforsin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone