Conversion of L-tryptophan to serotonin and melatonin in human melanoma cells.
We showed in human melanoma cells tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) and hydroxyindole methyltransferase genes expression with the sequential enzymatic activities of TPH, serotonin (Ser) N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole methyltransferase. The presence of the products Ser, 5OH-tryptophan, N-acetylserotonin, melatonin (Mel), 5-methoxytryptamine and 5-methoxytryptophol was documented by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thus, human melanoma cells can synthesize and metabolize Ser and Mel.
Slominski
Andrzej
A
Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. aslominski@utmem.edu
Semak
Igor
I
Pisarchik
Alexander
A
Sweatman
Trevor
T
Szczesniewski
Andre
A
Wortsman
Jacobo
J
D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000378:metabolism*; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase; D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin