Tyrosinase protects human melanocytes from ROS-generating compounds.
The effects of two tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs), tetrahydropapaveroline (THP) and salsolinol (SAL), on human primary melanocytes were studied. These compounds are naturally occurring alkaloids deriving from the condensation of dopamine with aldehydes. The effects on the viability were studied by treating the cells with variable concentration of THP or SAL; both TIQs were well tolerated up to roughly 30 micro M. At higher concentrations, THP became overtly toxic while SAL showed no cytotoxic effect up to 100 micro M. TIQs treatment determined an impairment of intracellular activity of antioxidant enzymes, like SOD, DT-diaphorase, and glutathione peroxidase. A decrease of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity was also evidenced following TIQs treatment; a very strong diminution was found in THP-treated cells, whose viability was highly decreased. Both TIQs increased tyrosinase-specific mRNA transcription followed, in the case of SAL, by an activation of tyrosinase. In the presence of tyrosinase inhibitors TIQs treatment resulted in a sharp cytotoxic effect even at concentrations normally well tolerated. Taken together these data suggest that tyrosinase represents an outstanding protective mechanism against ROS-generating compounds, once primary detoxifying mechanisms are impaired or not available.
Department of Biochemical Sciences, University "La Sapienza," P.le A. Moro, 5 00185, Rome, Italy. raffaella.coccia@uniromal.it
Marzia
M
Perluigi
Federico
F
De Marco
Cesira
C
Foppoli
Raffaella
R
Coccia
Carla
C
Blarzino
Maria Luisa
ML
Marcante
Chiara
C
Cini
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008956:Models, Chemical; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013765:Tetrahydropapaveroline / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007546:Isoquinolines; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013765:Tetrahydropapaveroline; C036617:salsolinol; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D007655:Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex