title: Spectroscopic and dynamic studies of the epidermal chromophores trans-urocanic acid and eumelanin.
abstract: Photoaging and skin cancer can result from the exposure of skin to ultraviolet A (UV-A, 320-400 nm) radiation. The detailed chemical mechanisms by which these processes occur are not known, but they must begin with the absorption of a UV-A photon by one or more photoreceptor(s) within the skin. The situation is complicated by the lack of understanding of the photoreactions of many of the UV-A-absorbing molecules in skin. In this Account, we describe recent research efforts directed at elucidating the UV-A-induced photoreactivity of two light-absorbing epidermal photoreceptors: trans-urocanic acid and eumelanin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Duke University, and Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000737:chemistry*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014560:Urocanic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D008543:Melanins; C041877:eumelanin; D014560:Urocanic Acid