title: Conversion of L-tryptophan to serotonin and melatonin in human melanoma cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. aslominski@utmem.edu
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Slominski
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Semak
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pisarchik
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sweatman
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szczesniewski
authors.forename: Jacobo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wortsman
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase; D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin