title: Enhanced expression of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1-R) in normal human keratinocytes during differentiation: evidence for increased expression of POMC peptides near suprabasal layer of epidermis.
abstract: Immunohistochemical staining of human skin specimen showed the stronger localization of proopiomelanocortin peptides near the suprabasal layer of the epidermis, where keratinocytes are mostly differentiated. To test the possibilities of whether the production of proopiomelanocortin peptides or their receptor-binding activity or both is increased during differentiation of keratinocytes, we treated the cells in culture with Ca2+ to induce their differentiation. The production of proopiomelanocortin peptides and its gene expression were not induced significantly, but the binding ability of melanocortin receptor, as well as its gene expression were stimulated by Ca2+. Ultraviolet B irradiation, an inducer of differentiation, stimulated both proopiomelanocortin production and melanocortin receptor expression. These data show that normal human keratinocytes express melanocortin receptor similar to melanocytes, and that it is induced during differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Funasaka
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pawelek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagahama
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ichihashi
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018043:Receptors, Corticotropin; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; C029446:MSH receptor; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D002118:Calcium